ABSTRACT
The chapter aims to identify the absolute and perceptual size of smaller Gulf states and the state-specific regime security considerations that affect their foreign policy. The analysis arrives at three main conclusions. First, in dealing with absolute smallness, Gulf states developed compensatory policies that enable them to tackle the negative consequences of their size. Nevertheless, these policies result in certain disadvantages (e.g. the majority of foreigners outnumbering the native population, or various kinds of alliance dilemmas) that are harder to manage. Second, despite their similar geopolitical and normative environment, smallness plays a more prominent role in the identity of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates than in the other three cases. Third, the regime security of smaller Gulf states differs to a great extent, and state size is a secondary consideration – the management of heterogeneity, domestic political challenges, and intra-regime strife have a greater explanatory value.
