Dr. Clemens Chay

Researcher in the Geopolitical & Domestic Affairs of the Gulf Arab States

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Collateral Reconfiguration: Will the US-Israel Conflict with Iran Reshape Gulf Strategic Calculus?

A Saudi journalist is pictured in front of the logo of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the media centre ahead of the 41st summit in the city of al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia on January 5, 2021. Saudi Arabia will reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar, US and Kuwaiti officials said, a major step towards ending a diplomatic rift that has seen Riyadh lead an alliance isolating Doha. The bombshell announcement came on the eve of GCC annual summit in the northwestern Saudi Arabian city of Al-Ula, where the dispute was already set to top the agenda. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)

In this piece co-authored with Mahdi Ghuloom, we argue that Gulf leaders are increasingly differentiating between personal diplomacy with President Trump and the question of genuine strategic dependability.

Gulf states experienced repercussions from a conflict they actively sought to prevent. Iranian missiles struck cities, airports and energy infrastructure despite assurances their bases would not be used against Tehran. In their time of need, the Gulf states will closely watch which partners respond and step up to their calls for assistance.

Read the full article published by ORF Middle East HERE.

Clemens Chay

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