Status: 09.11.2023, 18:32 PM
By: Andreas Schmid
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China's President Xi Jinping at the Saudi Royal Palace in December. He stated that he wanted to usher in "a new era for relations between China and the Arab world." In the Gulf, this is well received. © Imago/YAY Images/picture alliance/dpa/XinHua | Yue Yuewei (Montage)
Golf is booming. Nevertheless, there are "still major problems" in terms of human rights, says Middle East expert Sebastian Sons in an interview. Some countries don't care.
Frankfurt – The Gulf region is one of the biggest geopolitical winners of this century. Thanks in part to their valuable reserves of raw materials, the Gulf Arab states have emerged as new strong players on the geopolitical stage. Germany also cooperates with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, for example in the energy sector. And this despite the difficult human rights situation in the Gulf. The Federal Republic of Germany has no other choice, says Middle East expert Sebastian Sons in an interview with IPPEN. MEDIA. "The Gulf states are not a partner of choice, but a partner of necessity." In his new book "The New Rulers of the Gulf and Their Striving for Global Influence", the Islamic scholar looks at the development of the Gulf states and also discusses new alliances in the region. China, in particular, has recently intensified its relations with the Gulf.
Mr. Sons, a year ago, the eyes of the world were on Qatar and the Gulf because of the World Cup. What has happened since then?
Over the past decade, the Gulf region has become increasingly important. In the region itself, traditional leaders such as Syria or Egypt are preoccupied with internal problems and conflicts. The Gulf region has stepped into this vacuum. The World Cup was one of the highlights as not only a sporting event, but also a great political and economic success for Qatar. Other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia are now emulating this and want to present themselves to the world as a reliable partner.
One of these partners is Germany. What does cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany look like?
The Gulf States are not a partner of choice, but a partner of necessity. It is now only a question of how to work with the Gulf states, not whether. For example, in the areas of energy, migration, development policy or security issues.
For a long time, the Gulf region did not play a major role in German politics.
In the last two years, this has changed. Because of the World Cup and because of the energy crisis. In public, however, the Gulf states are still not discussed enough and taken seriously. It is important to keep accepting shades of grey that the Gulf states are certainly problematic in many areas – such as human rights – but that there are also developments that serve German interests.
Has the human rights situation changed since the World Cup?
Certainly, there are still major problems with regard to the human rights situation. Even the World Cup didn't change that. However, certain improvements for guest workers in Qatar have been introduced, at least legally, and the situation of women in Saudi Arabia has improved. At the same time, there is greater attention from the Gulf States in the international arena, and this at least leads to intensive discussions about human rights issues. However, many political leaders in the region do not want anything to change. It is important not to demonize everything, but of course not to gloss over everything either.
Gulf state expert Sebastian Sons regularly travels to the Arabian Peninsula. He has worked at the German Oriental Institute, the German Society for International Cooperation and the German Society for Politics. © Tagesspiegel/Imago
Gulf signal to the west: "Look, we can do without you"
The most important trading partner for the region is China. A country that hardly addresses criticism. Is the region cooperating with the People's Republic because it is not the "moral world policeman" that you describe Germany as in your book?
That's certainly a point. Autocracies that do not criticize the human rights situation in the other country work together. They work together in a very pragmatic and business-oriented way. Not only in business, but also politically.
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Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will probably join the BRICS alliance around China and Russia from January. Is this creating a new political counterweight to the political West?
From the point of view of the Gulf states, this is part of a multipolar world order in which they try to get the best out of it for themselves and their interests. You try to talk to all the players. The Gulf likes to instrumentalize China in order to have a bargaining chip vis-à-vis the West. The BRICS donation is not a political turning point, but it is another signal that the "Global South" wants to offer alternatives to Western dominance. True to the motto: Look, we can do without you. And you have to take that seriously.
Does this mean that the West is losing influence in the Gulf region?
Yes, without question. Europe has long since lost influence, and the EU is seen as a toothless tiger in the Gulf. In the case of the United States, one gets the impression that it is saying goodbye to the region, but this is a false impression. The anti-Western discourse in the region has recently increased sharply.
Why?
The West has long since ceased to be perceived as credible. It's about practical things like free trade agreements that don't work. But it's also about frustration and the feeling of not being taken seriously and the notorious double standards with which the West argues.
What do you mean by double standards?
In particular, Europe's lack of support to support the Gulf states against threats such as Iran, but at the same time expecting increased support from the Gulf for the European position in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This is perceived as paternalism in the region. Europe has been accused of this as a lack of credibility and respect for the interests of the Gulf states – and this trend towards polarisation has been exacerbated by the war in Gaza.
Interview: Andreas Schmid
About the book: "The New Rulers of the Gulf and Their Quest for Global Influence." Sebastian Sons, Dietz Verlag, published in October 2023, 24 euros.