6 - Securing the Gulf after Britain’s Withdrawal

Summary

As the end of 1971 approached, British planners began to think more carefully about Britain’s post-withdrawal role in the Gulf. They calculated that Britain’s ability to remain influential would rest to a large degree on the rulers’ continued dependence on Britons to fill critical advisory and leadership positions related to security matters. After all, the presence of British nationals, whether loaned out by Britain or privately employed, was a critical component in the development of indigenous security forces prior 1971 and one of the central planks of the British relationship with the Gulf ruling families. Because the influence of Britons in key positions in the security apparatus was not dependent on the formal aspects of Britain’s political and military position in the Gulf, it is perhaps not surprising that it continued long after Britain’s formal military withdrawal – right up to the present day.