ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the Gulf region, starting with a review of the most serious terrorist incidents since 1983, the majority of which have taken place in Kuwait. The problem of rejuvenation in the Gulf area is more acute than in most other Third World regions because of the additional problem of the large percentage of foreigners in Gulf societies and hence the relatively small size of the citizen populations. One of the most striking features of the profile of terrorism in the Gulf region is the involvement of the younger people in acts of political violence. If indeed rejuvenation of the population and social and political extremism go hand in hand, then the trend in the Gulf region is likely to contribute further to an environment of political violence. The widespread sense of victimization among Shi‘a has been treated in greater detail elsewhere, but it is important to note the potential for its deepening under present deteriorating conditions.
