Britain's Revival and Fall in the Gulf: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Trucial States, 1950-71

Britain's relationship with Gulf region remains one of the few unexplored episodes in the study of British decolonization. The decision, announced in 1968, to leave the Gulf within three years represented an explicit recognition by Britain that its 'East of Suez' role was at an end. In this book, Simon Smith analyzes the decision-making process which underpinned this reversal is clearly vital in achieving an understanding of British decline, both psychological and material. Additionally, this book presents an examination of the interaction between British decision-making on the one hand, and local responses and initiatives on the other, in shaping the modern Gulf. Using sources previously unavailable to the studies on the modern Gulf and of interest to both academic and general readers.

Simon Smith is Senior Lecturer in International History at the University of Hull.