In his book New Military Strategies in the Gulf: The Mirage of Autonomy in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, Jean-Loup Samaan examines Gulf countries’ efforts to achieve greater strategic autonomy. Samaan argues that Gulf military strategy has prioritized armed force development and the diversification of partnerships toward countries such as Russia, Turkey, and China. The book also delves into the downsides of these shifts, including the further erosion of multilateral initiatives, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. 

The book is based on extensive fieldwork and interviews with major decision makers and officials and uses recently declassified documents to gain rare insight into what Gulf countries intend for their defense policies.