Diplomacy is an instrument influencing international political structures and national security strategies. With increased research in the field, it has been developed into various diplomatic typologies, such as economic diplomacy, energy diplomacy, summit diplomacy, public diplomacy, mediation diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and seaport diplomacy. Compared with the development of international relations theories, diplomatic theory still lags far behind and has been somehow deviated from diplomatic practice. Having noticed the inadequacy and limits of diplomatic study, some scholars are on the path towards fostering diplomatic theories with Chinese characteristics on the basis of current literature.

Alliance diplomacy is a case in point. Throughout history, the major powers have usually relied on this form of diplomacy to achieve their strategic objectives because alliance can be a force multiplier. This book aims at a deeper understanding of the grey zone between alliance and non-alignment: quasi-alliance diplomacy, with the highlights of the essence, functions, formation, management, performance and termination of the security arrangement. As a way of dealing meaningfully with the operative modes of quasi-alliance relations between major powers and Middle East countries, much is said about different patterns and models of international security cooperation to provide academic and policy references.

Research Questions and Literature Review

Alliance has already been a widely discussed topic in the field of international security. It can not only make up for a country's insufficient strategic resources but result in the redistribution of national strength and collective identity as well. Alliance can exert a far-reaching effect on power relations and finally reshape the international system.

Alliance study can roughly be divided into five schools. First, the school of realism represented by the theory of the balance of power. Realists investigate and examine how power, threats and interests influence alliance from the perspective of the international system. They claim that decision-makers are rational and the nature of international politics is to seek power and security. They hold that states can take advantage of alliance for their own purposes of interests in diplomatic practice.