Tensions in Arabia: The Saudi-Yemeni Fault Line

The Saudi-Yemeni border dispute in Southern Arabia has lasted for most of the 20th century. This edited volume provides an informed analysis on the wider aspects of the tensions, beyond conflicting territorial claims. Issues of state-building, economic development, labour migration, regional alliances and the interests of extra-regional actors are discussed in the papers from a variety of perspectives. An additional dimension of the book is to challenge the current Western perception of the Arabian Peninsula as the backyard of the Gulf, which ignores the strong links between the populations despite the rivalry between the various leaderships. Part I of the book presents the history of the border dispute from the late 1920s onward and deals with access to mineral and water resources. Part II describes the interests and stakes of both the United States and the European Union in the region. Finally, the authors discuss possible future scenarios, and assess the policy measures that the European Union could adopt and which could contribute to a reduction in the tensions between the two countries.