The Arab Gulf States After the War: Expectations for Washington and Tehran

While the outcome of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is still hard to predict, some of the consequences for Arab Gulf states are coming into focus. In the Center for the National Interest’s latest Policy Brief, CFTNI Senior Fellow Joshua Yaphe examines some of the decisions that Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will face and also sets out some of their expectations following a conflict in which they have thus far endured the brunt of Iran’s attacks. 

In particular, Yaphe argues that they are likely to: (1) hold the United States accountable for enforcing any deal with Tehran; (2) demand a multilateral security agreement ensuring access through the Strait of Hormuz; (3) suspend any further discussion of expanding the Abraham Accords; (4) diversify high-tech defense acquisitions away from America; and (5) increase participation in the Board of Peace.