Gulf Cooperation Council

Differing priorities, values, and interpretations have led to a trust deficiency on both sides of the Gulf for decades, but the US war on Iran brought those festering issues to the fore

Tehran prioritises foreign power and influence, whereas the Gulf states prioritise economic development and stability. The presence of foreign bases in the Gulf is just an excuse.

Closing the Strait of Hormuz has shown how the Gulf should shift from an oil-export model to a digital and distribution hub. Will this trigger the long-delayed free trade agreement with China?

The US-Israeli war against Iran aims to draw in Gulf states, but history has shown that entering wars is far easier than exiting them. Prudence is needed now more than ever.

The Gulf states are showing that their security is indivisible and that they will pursue their defence from any that offer it, creating a new 'strategic autonomy' borne of the Trump era.

More than $75bn of construction projects were awarded in Gulf states last year, with much more expected, but the cranes across Riyadh, Muscat, and Dubai are building more than just skylines.

From dhows carrying spices to tankers carrying oil, trade between South Asia and Arabia has been healthy for hundreds of years, with room to grow further.

Sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare have the potential to continue growing as a share of the Gulf states' overall revenue and to provide employment for the future

With populations living longer and oil income expected to start tailing off, the region's recent largesse may need adjusting, as funding for changed demographics could soon become unsustainable

With $175bn worth of annual business between the two blocs, a free trade deal seems only sensible, yet visas and vested commercial interests remain obstacles.