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 moment of shared vulnerability has also brought GCC states closer together. Faced with a shared conundrum, there is a growing recognition across the bloc that the current strategic framework is not sustainable. In other words, the Iran war has been the perfect catalyst for a rethink of GCC foreign policy.

It can continue along its current trajectory, characterised by internal tensions and fragmented alignments, or it can pursue a more cohesive strategic posture.

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I spend much of my time in the region, having lived in UAE for 12 years and in Saudi Arabia for six years and helped Rothschild to open offices in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. So, I am a........

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