In order to do business in the Arab world and especially in the Middle East, it is of vital importance to know the political systems of the region. In this article we will give a brief description of the most important monarchies in the Middle East. Let’s get started!
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest and most powerful monarchy in the Middle East. The country was unified from four regions in 1932 by its first king, Ibn Saud, and quickly became one of the wealthiest in the Arab world after the discovery of massive oil reserves in 1938. Since then, Saudi Arabia has become the world’s largest exporter of oil and has enjoyed good relations with the West, especially the United States, as a strategic energy and security ally.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute hereditary monarchy, governed by a king, and the royal family dominates the political system. The royal family’s vast numbers allow it to control most of the kingdom’s important posts and be involved and present at all levels of government. The country’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, known as Wahhabism, is enforced by religious police and has resulted in some human rights abuses. However, the kingdom has made some efforts in recent years to modernize and reform its economy and society.
Jordan
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy located in the Middle East, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Palestine. The country is ruled by King Abdullah II, who ascended to the throne in 1999 after the death of his father, King Hussein. Jordan has a parliamentary system of government, with a prime minister appointed by the king who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government.
Jordan is considered to be among the safest of Arab countries in the Middle East and has avoided long-term terrorism and instability. The country has a mixed economy with a growing private sector, but it still relies heavily on foreign aid and remittances from its large expatriate population. Jordan is a key ally of the United States and the UK, and it has played a significant role in regional peace and security efforts.
The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal absolute monarchy located in the Arabian Peninsula. The country is a federation of seven emirates that was established on December 2nd, 1971. The constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate is governed by an absolute monarch; together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the monarchs is selected as the President of the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has a mixed economy with a large oil and natural gas sector, but it has also diversified into other areas such as tourism and finance. The country has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, and its high standard of living has attracted a large expatriate population. The UAE has a strong alliance with the United States and has played a significant role in regional security efforts.
The UAE’s oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world, while its natural gas reserves are the 17th-largest. Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the UAE, oversaw the development of the Emirates and steered oil revenues into health care, education, and infrastructure.
Qatar
Qatar is a constitutional monarchy located on the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. The country is ruled by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who took over from his father, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in 2013. Qatar has a parliamentary system of government, with a prime minister appointed by the emir who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government.
Qatar is a high-income economy and a developed country, backed by the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves. The country has the highest per capita income in the world, and its economy is heavily dependent on its energy sector. Qatar is classified by the UN as a country of very high human development and is the most advanced Arab state for human development. The country has good relations with the West and is a key ally of the United States.
Kuwait
a constitutional emirate located on the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The country is ruled by Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took over from his brother, Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in 2006. Kuwait has a parliamentary system of government, with a prime minister appointed by the emir who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government.
Kuwait is a high-income economy with a developed and diversified economy, backed by the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves. The country has a relatively high level of gender equality and a secular court system. Kuwait ranks highly in regional metrics of gender equality, with the region’s highest Global Gender Gap ranking. The country has good relations with the West and is a key ally of the United States.
The Kuwaiti dinar is the highest-valued currency in the world. According to the World Bank, the country has the fourth-highest per capita income in the world.
In conclusion, the monarchies of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait are the most important in the Middle East. These countries have different political systems and levels of economic development, but they are all ruled by kings or emirs who hold significant power.
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