100 days of Iran war: Gulf states grapple with security and economic consequences
Key takeaways
- The US-Israel war with Iran has forced the Gulf states to reassess long-held assumptions about security, alliances and stability in their region.
- Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, and despite a nominal ceasefire, the GCC countries, have been performing a difficult balancing act.
- In recent years, the Gulf states, and particularly Saudi Arabia, have implemented ambitious economic reforms aimed at diversifying their economies and reducing dependence on oil revenues.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
The US-Israel war with Iran has forced the Gulf states to reassess long-held assumptions about security, alliances and stability in their region. What does this mean for the future?
https://p.dw.com/p/5Eje GThe Iran war has shifted the Gulf states' sense of security, analysts say Image: Stringer/REUTERSAdvertisement For the regional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — the consequences of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran extend far beyond immediate military threat.
Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, and despite a nominal ceasefire, the GCC countries, have been performing a difficult balancing act. Key infrastructure in the region is being targeted by thousands of ballistic missiles and drones while the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by — imposed by both Iran and the US — has had a major impact on trade and economic stability. At the same time, Gulf governments have been trying to avoid being drawn deeper into the conflict.