International institutions of the Middle East: The GCC, Arab League and Arab Maghreb union

In: Global institutions

Abstract

Given the world's recent attention on the Middle East because of the Arab Spring, it is important to examine the role played by the International Organisations of the region in its governance. This book aims to be the key introductory volume for understanding the regional IOs of the Middle East. It assesses the reasons why IOs in the Middle East are so ill developed, explores their history, evolution and the successes and failures of each IO. It also analyses the reasons for the specific difficulties faced by each organisation through the context of intra-regional relations, before examining the impact of external factors such as: globalisation, moves towards global governance which have impacts in the Middle East and external influences from the great powers. Finally, it explores the likely impact of the Arab Spring upon the prospects for the further development of these regional International Organisations. This work will be of great interest to students and scholars of Middle East studies, international organizations and global governance.