Sectarianism as a Factor Shaping Persian Gulf Security

Abstract

Sectarian tensions in the West Asia have exacerbated with a new power and remain a vital factor influencing relations between Muslim states. In Persian Gulf, sectarianism as a tool used by states comes from Muslim fragmentation into Sunni and Shia branches and is expressed in a hostility towards the opposite group. In reality, this hostility is usually exploited by authoritarian states to reach their goals and interests at the expense of weak or failed states by meddling into their affairs. At the domestic level of the Arab Persian Gulf states, sectarianism is used to maintain domestic regime stability and control internal (Shia) opposition. States are convincing their own societies that Shiite demands and unrests pose a threat for the regime security so the state has a right and duty to undertake sophisticated measures to ensure order.

The aim of the article is to show the different dimensions of sectarianism in the Persian Gulf, both on an internal and external level. The article will show how the mechanism of using sectarianism for the state purposes works.