2021/07/12 by İ̇smail Numan Telci, Mehmet Rakipoğlu · 1 citation
Energy · Social Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Global Energy Security and Policy #International Development and Aid #Natural Resources and Economic Development
paper · pdf · doi:10.20991/allazimuth.960945
openalex publication_date 2021/07/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Strategic hedging has not been studied adequately in Middle Eastern countries. This study is an attempt to include hedging into the analysis of a small state’s foreign policy choices. It contends that the hedging strategy can be applied to small states because of its confrontation at three levels: international, regional and sub-regional. It is argued that Kuwait has pursued a hedging policy by taking possible shifts in the global and regional power distribution and the lasting regional security dilemma into consideration. By strengthening military cooperation with China and Turkey, Kuwait has aimed to hedge the risks that could arise from the rise of China and Turkey in the Gulf, the US’ retrenchment from the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia’s aggressiveness. The main purpose of this strategy is analysed as a move to empower the regional alliance with Turkey, ensuring Kuwait’s security and warding off potential risks from the changing dynamics of the Middle East.