Rising powers and the Gulf Monarchies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

How are rising powers like Russia, India and China responding to the pandemic among the Gulf monarchies and what are the implications for rising power behaviour more generally? Through an examination of these powers’ established relations with the Gulf monarchies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regional energy and labour markets and the search for a vaccine, the article highlights the opportunities and constraints faced by each. The variety of approaches taken by rising powers in a volatile environment (like today’s Middle East) challenges the assumption that they will adopt a singular strategy in relation to the international system, either as a supporter, spoiler or shirker in an international system. But this may change as the system becomes more settled.