Small Islands, Big Politics examines a territorial dispute in the Gulf. Iran and UAE dispute the ownership and control of three small islands overlooking the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Since 1971, the year British colonialism withdrew from the Gulf, Iran has regained its full sovereignty over the Tonbs and has accommodated UAE in the administration of Abu Musa. The chapters provide a close reading of the legal and relevant territorial-historical dimensions of the dispute and dissect the intricacies of international law and its application to territorial disputes between the two countries. The book also includes a reading of colonial legacy and current strategic content for a new comprehensive history of the dispute. Not only is this the first book-length analysis the issue in the English language and the most comprehensive treatment of the subject, it provides the most comprehensive bibliography and documents on the issue and will be valuable to teachers, researchers and students of Middle East politics and history and international studies.