Political Economy Analysis of Military Spending in the Middle East

Abstract This study analyzes the determinants and dynamics of military spending in the Middle East within the framework of critical political economy, based on data covering the period (1995- 2023). The analysis combines approaches from political economy, the rentier-authoritarian state theory, and critical geopolitics to explain the link between armament, authoritarian structures, and international alliances rather than objective security threats. The findings suggest that the persistently high levels of military spending in the region are largely used as instruments to maintain power structures and sustain strategic alliances, rather than merely to enhance defense capabilities. The diversification of arms suppliers toward Russia and China appears not to have reduced dependency but instead to have added further logistical and strategic complexity. The study also indicates a tendency toward a negative association between military spending and the indicators of democracy, development, and political stability, highlighting the prevailing priority of “regime security” over “state security.” Overall, the paper argues that patterns of armament in the Middle East reflect a hybrid political- economic configuration that perpetuates the security dilemma at both the regional and international levels. Key words: Political Economy; Military Spending; Middle East; Rentier State; Authoritarianism; Security Dilemma; Geopolitics; International Alliances