Maritime Military Complex in the Northwest Arabian Sea

The Gulf subcomplex and the Horn Proto-complex are struggling with the idea of Westphalian statehood in the face of various Islamic groups, which came into being at the end of the 19th century. The idea of nationhood and an Islamic identity took shape to counter the imperial states and the Ottoman Empire. Neither of the two ideas came together as one that would bind the people together. On the other hand, the division of states as a prize at the end of the First World War was accepted by the rulers who stood to gain from it. Although the area primarily comprises post-colonial modern states, it is riddled with powerful premodern elements of clan, tribe, and religion (Buzan and Waever 2003: 187). As in many places, the insecurity of the ruling elites significantly shaped the region's security dynamics.