Iran's defeat at the hands of Israel has presented an opportunity for the likes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to make sure it never rebuilds to the same threat level. That requires two things.

Far from the solidity of a unipolar or bipolar world, the region is awash with medium and large powers all vying for their interests, with several unstable states in which to do so. Is there hope?

The US knows that Gulf states have more options in a multipolar world and it accepts their building economic relations with a dynamic China. But it also has a limit. Al Majalla explains.

Cooperation between Turkey and Gulf countries will place the region in a much better position to confront challenges and stand up to foreign interference

Its strategic location at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait has incentivised various countries to establish military bases in the small African nation