Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey: The Political Drivers of ‘Stabilisation’

Abstract

This chapter examines the approaches adopted by new actors, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey towards stabilisation in the Horn of Africa and Syria. Although behind the curve of more established actors, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Ankara have each engaged in ‘stabilisation efforts’ and appear intent on further developing their approaches. The chapter establishes first how the three countries conceive of stabilisation and then examines how each one so far has instrumentalised policies to support the process. As such, it analyses the following: first, their motivations and priorities; second, national institutions and agencies tasked with delivering stabilisation; third, the degree to which government agencies and national champions coordinate their approaches; and fourth, how successful the new actors have been in supporting stabilisation.