Soft power may be the UK government’s best option to promote trade and civil liberties in the Gulf states

The UK’s relationship with the Persian Gulf has undergone many changes in its over 200-year history. Now, the British government under the coalition is focused on building closer trading ties, whilst at the same time encouraging greater civil liberties in the Gulf. Nima Khorrami Assl argues that both of these objectives are best served by the UK’s formal and informal networks of advisers and diplomats.