Britain's persian gulf policy between 1945-1971: A study on shaikhdoms

Britain had formed treaty relations with shaikhdoms in the strategic Persian Gulf in 19th century in order to protect her interests concerning India's and trade routes' protection. By signing treaties, Britain controlled foreign policies of shaikhdoms and prevented other foreign Powers to intervene. After 1945, although India has gained her independence, oil based interests of Britain made her commitment depper in the region. Bureaucratic systems of the shaikhdoms formed by British diplomats and advisers. This British formed and controlled bureaucratic structure is the basis of British soft power in the region. In this study, British foreign policy in the Gulf is analyzed based on theories of imperialism and the term "informal empire".