Introduction

This chapter introduces this book’s central argument: that a group of Middle Eastern states, ranging from large actors such as Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel to smaller but diplomatically agile monarchies such as Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman, have emerged as influential middle powers through the strategic deployment of niche diplomacy. In a region characterized by volatility, fragmentation, contested sovereignty, and eroding great-power guarantees, these states convert structural vulnerability into diplomatic agency by specializing in targeted domains such as mediation, humanitarian aid, energy, culture, religion, and soft-power projection. This chapter situates this phenomenon within broader middle-power theory, arguing for a contextual recalibration that recognizes performative, issue-specific, and reputation-oriented behavior as key markers of emerging middle-power status in authoritarian and hybrid political systems. It outlines the conceptual and analytical questions guiding the study, emphasizing the interplay between structural constraints, leadership ambition, normative agendas, and international recognition. Ultimately, the introduction frames niche diplomacy as a pragmatic and strategically entrepreneurial tool through which non-hegemonic Middle Eastern states navigate global multipolarity and assert relevance within an increasingly fluid regional and international order.