(This event was organised by Brookings Doha Center and MEI’s Political Economy Research Cluster, as part of its annual conference series.)

About the Workshop

With the emergence of a multi-polar world, shifting international norms, uncertain geopolitical trends and fears of great power rivalries abounding, small states are being placed in increasingly vulnerable positions – as most dramatically illustrated in the case of Qatar. This workshop looked at the statecraft of small states and the various strategies and policies that small states rely on to navigate their regional environments.

The key points of the Workshop were:

• The impact of small states in international relations.
• Small states and perspectives of international relations theory; self-interest, cooperation and impartiality.
• Thinking big: small states and power projection.
• Strategic alliances and co-operative structures.
• Economic, social and energy challenges of small states.

For the draft programme, please click HERE.

Listen to the introductory remarks by Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman of MEI, and Dr Nader Kabbani, Director of Research at Brookings Doha Centre. The sessions from the three panels can also be viewed below.