Defense Cooperation in the GCC

Abstract

The Arab Gulf states have systematically worked to tighten their cooperation in various fields. However, progress toward increased defense collaboration continues to be slow due to a number of factors including fear of angering neighboring countries, particularly Iran; protecting state sovereignty; and reliance on other forms of defense, such as national militaries and foreign allies. The history of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) shows that when its member states face serious external threats, their disagreements are often sidelined in order to promote a more visible unified front. Nevertheless, past experience also indicates, such efforts may be held hostage by inner-GCC rivalries and therefore make only marginal contributions to security in the Gulf.