Britain and the formation of the Gulf states

Britain and the formation of the Gulf states: embers of empire. By Shohei Sato. Manchester: Manchester University Press. 2016. 178pp. £55.00. ISBN 978 0 71909 968 7. In recent years, a rich body of literature has emerged rigorously examining the final years of Britain's long ‘imperial’ moment in the Gulf in historical and comparative perspective. This culminated in Prime Minister Harold Wilson's announcement, on 16 January 1968, that Britain would withdraw from all positions ‘east of Suez’ by the end of 1971. Much of this analysis has been undertaken by doctoral students who have utilized newly released archival evidence and mined the memoirs (and memories) of former officials and policy-makers. The result has been a significant reinterpretation of British policy towards the nine ‘protected states’ in the Gulf (the seven sheikhdoms that came together as the United Arab Emirates plus Bahrain and Qatar) in the years leading up to the sudden-and unexpected-announcement of impending withdrawal

Ancient history · Art · Economic history · Empire · Memoir · Political science · Politics · Prime minister · Reinterpretation · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Islamic Studies and History · Law · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts