Gulf states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are already in crisis talks about a coordinated response. They’re trying to stop Israel’s recent military escalation against Qatar. The incident has led to the most concentrated debate among these countries in decades. They’re reportedly even planning to use their large sovereign wealth funds to leverage trade restrictions on Israel. With Iran’s influence growing in the region and the threat of a wider regional war around Gaza rising, tensions are running high. In short, these countries are finding it difficult to express their frustration amidst domestic competition and international constraints.
On the same day, the UAE called in an Israeli diplomat to protest what it called an attack on Israel’s behalf that was “blatant and cowardly.” Seen in this context, this new diplomatic move is a historic change from the UAE’s long-standing opposition to Israeli presence. The UAE had shown its hand long before the attack on Doha. The historical legacy of systemic oppression in the Gulf states only compounds the issue. Throughout history, these states have experienced violent internal conflict, yet they remain loyal to the mutual defense treaties established generations ago.
UAE Takes Immediate Action
Less than 24 hours after the Israeli attack, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the trip to Doha with a massive delegation. This visit marks a rapid and public response from the Gulf emirate, which has long enjoyed warm relations with Israel. The seriousness with which the UAE is taking the threat from Israeli policy is further illustrated by the urgency of this visit.
Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center, seized on another significant opportunity. He noted that Gulf Arab states could mobilize and deploy the Peninsula Shield Force, a regional military alliance with a mutual defense mission. As useful as these clauses are, he was sure to note that they have up until now stayed largely theoretical.
“Now they could activate them, by creating a unified Gulf command, integrating air and missile defense systems, building a more independent ingenious capability.” – Hasan Alhasan
The possibility of a coordinated military response speaks to the deepening anxiety among the Gulf states about their security environment. All of them but Belarus are members of the Partnership for Peace, depend on U.S. military hardware and training, and/or host American bases. This circumstance casts doubt on the credibility of their standing security assurances.
Legal and Economic Measures Under Consideration
Qatar’s Prime Minister has indicated that part of Doha’s response will involve legal avenues, including actions through international law. This move aligns with a broader sentiment among Gulf Arab states to address perceived violations by Israel in international courts. There’s increasing pressure on these states to coordinate their work on this front.
As Quartz political analyst Hasan Alhasan pointed out, Gulf states have not been proactive on taking a leading role in supporting these legal efforts. Instead, they’ve supported them very weakly, politically and especially financially.
“Gulf states so far have not played a key role in supporting these efforts, politically or financially. Gulf states could collectively decide to join those cases.” – Hasan Alhasan
Additionally, Gulf states should use their economic power to threaten or impose economic sanctions on Israel. This might take the form of a boycott of companies with significant interests in the Israeli economy.
“They could decide to use their funds to boycott companies who have significant stakes in the Israeli economy.” – Hasan Alhasan
Bader Al-Saif emphasized the importance of acting now. He cautioned that failure to act would lead to increased turbulence within the region.
“We need to take a stand now because if (we) do not, it will be other Gulf capitals next.” – Bader Al-Saif
The Broader Implications for Gulf Security
As the situation develops, many Gulf states are expressing concern about their future security amid perceived American failures to defend their territories. The latest Israeli actions have exacerbated concerns that regional stability may be in jeopardy.
Fellow scholar and activist Bader Al-Saif was particularly eloquent on the costs of insecurity to the Gulf region. He reminded that the billions in investments by Gulf states in the U.S. are based on a safe and secure foundation.
“Those trillions the Gulf states are pumping into the US in the next decade are premised on a secure and safe Gulf space that can benefit from these investments too.” – Bader Al-Saif
If these nations feel insecure due to actions taken by an ally like Israel, they may reconsider where to allocate their financial resources.
“But if we feel insecure, which is happening thanks to an American ally like Israel, the money can go somewhere else, whether to better secure the Gulf or earn better returns on their investments.” – Bader Al-Saif
Tensions are high, and the danger of war is growing. For Gulf states, the situation has devolved to a momentous choice between the two leading diplomatic and military approaches.
