Reinventing the Gulf towards strategic neutrality

The joint United States and Israeli military attacks and Iran’s subsequent retaliation have exposed a structural vulnerability at the heart of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Despite their concerted efforts to strengthen ties with Washington – particularly with President Trump – Gulf states found themselves peripheral to decision making, yet central to the consequences. 83% of Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes during the war were sent towards GCC states, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) receiving the most attacks of any country, including Israel. Gulf states were largely able to defend themselves, often using American systems. Yet the US military bases, which provided the rationale for these attacks, ultimately proved a strategic liability rather than an asset. Paradoxically, this […]