February 2026 – Strategy International is proud to announce the publication of a new book chapter by our Junior Scholar for Gulf Affairs, Dr. Minas Lyristis. His latest research is featured in the newly released volume, Entrepreneurship in the International Political Economy: Theory and Policy, published by IGI Global. The comprehensive 560-page book examines the critical intersection of entrepreneurship, global economic dynamics, and political governance. It provides a theoretical and practical framework for understanding how geopolitical forces, institutional frameworks, and state policies enable or hinder global innovation and strategic development.

Contributing to this dialogue, Dr. Lyristis has authored Chapter 11: “Forging Sovereignty: Defence Entrepreneurship in the Gulf States.” His research provides a rigorous analysis of the strategic pivot currently underway within the Gulf Cooperation Council, focusing primarily on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In his chapter, Dr. Lyristis unpacks how these states are transitioning from passive arms importers to active defence producers. He argues that this shift (institutionalised through major conglomerates like SAMI and the EDGE Group) represents a new paradigm of modern state capitalism. Through a comparative methodology, the chapter evaluates the distinct “top-down” model of the KSA against the “consolidated” model of the UAE.

Dr. Lyristis identifies three core pillars driving this creative construction:

• Geopolitical anxieties: Navigating the realities of US retrenchment in the region.
• Operational shifts: Adapting to lessons learned from modern asymmetric conflicts.
• Economic diversification: Advancing post-rentier strategic goals, notably Saudi Vision 2030.

The study concludes that while these state-led ventures significantly enhance the strategic autonomy of Gulf states, their long-term sustainability hinges on overcoming the localization dilemma and navigating risks related to human capital, innovation, and financial dependency. This insightful contribution highlights Strategy International’s dedication to producing high-level, actionable analysis on Gulf affairs, modern statecraft, and the evolving architecture of international security. We congratulate Dr. Lyristis on this excellent academic achievement.

Read the full publication at the links below:

ISBN13: 9798337346069 DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-4606-9

• Book gateway: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4606-9 
• Chapter details: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-4606-9.ch011