Stylized map of the Gulf region symbolizing geopolitical forces and military strategies.

Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Is the Gulf Cooperation Council Prepared for the Future?

Rhea Morgan in Global Affairs August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A critical look at the GCC's security challenges, military capabilities, and the evolving dynamics shaping the Gulf region."

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in 1981, aimed to foster regional security among its six Gulf Arab monarchies. However, it has struggled to transform into the cohesive security framework initially envisioned. A key challenge lies in the varying military strengths and priorities of its member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Peninsula Shield Force (PSF), formed in 1984, was intended to be a joint military force. Despite its existence, the GCC states still had to rely on external powers to liberate Kuwait in 1991 during Iraqi invasion, highlighting its limitations. The Arab Spring uprisings further tested the GCC's security, leading to the PSF's deployment in Bahrain in 2011—a first-time intervention to protect an embattled member.

Amidst ongoing discussions about potentially forming an Arab Union, including Jordan and Morocco, deep divisions within the GCC remain. While Saudi Arabia and Bahrain show enthusiasm, Oman and Qatar are less inclined. This backdrop sets the stage for a critical examination of the GCC's military capabilities, its readiness to confront regional security threats, and its overall geopolitical positioning.

Assessing the Military Strengths and Preparedness of the GCC States

Stylized map of the Gulf region symbolizing geopolitical forces and military strategies.

Joseph A. Kéchichian’s work provides an in-depth analysis of the military institutions within each of the six GCC states, evaluating their unique strengths and weaknesses. The study meticulously examines training doctrines, practices, and connections with Western military institutions. Moreover, it identifies key military figures and their impact on shaping their respective armed forces.

A significant portion of the analysis delves into the strategic and doctrinal challenges confronting these militaries, examining their preparedness to address future security threats. Key areas of focus include:

Training doctrines and military practices.
Connections to elite Western military schools.
Key personalities shaping the military.
Strategic and doctrinal challenges.
Preparedness for future security threats.

Chapter 7, "From Alliance to Union," examines the possibility of forming an Arab Gulf Union, analyzing the GCC's military response to regional threats and its commitment to stability in Lebanon and Yemen. It also addresses the Arab-Persian rivalry and the sectarian dimensions of regional conflicts, highlighting the historical and geopolitical tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The Future of the GCC: Challenges and Opportunities

In conclusion, while the GCC has made strides in economic and social cooperation, its security alliance remains fragile. The evolving geopolitical landscape, marked by growing Russian influence and the decreasing engagement of the United States, presents both challenges and opportunities for the GCC. Addressing internal divisions, developing a unified military doctrine, and adapting to shifting global dynamics are crucial steps for the GCC to ensure its stability and relevance in the coming decades.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and what are its primary goals?

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established in 1981 with the aim of fostering security and cooperation among six Gulf Arab monarchies: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It aimed to create a cohesive security framework. However, the GCC has faced challenges in achieving its initial vision due to varying military strengths, priorities, and internal divisions among its member states.

What is the Peninsula Shield Force (PSF), and what role has it played in regional security events?

The Peninsula Shield Force (PSF) was formed in 1984 as a joint military force of the GCC. Despite its existence, the GCC states relied on external powers during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1991, revealing its limitations. The PSF was deployed in Bahrain in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings, marking its first intervention to protect a member state.

What insights does Joseph A. Kéchichian's analysis provide regarding the military strengths and preparedness of the GCC states?

Joseph A. Kéchichian's work offers an in-depth analysis of the military institutions within each of the six GCC states, evaluating their individual strengths and weaknesses. The study examines training doctrines, military practices, connections with Western military institutions, and identifies key military figures and their impact on shaping their respective armed forces. The analysis also focuses on strategic and doctrinal challenges confronting these militaries and their preparedness to address future security threats.

What key issues are addressed in Chapter 7, "From Alliance to Union," regarding the potential for an Arab Gulf Union and regional stability?

Chapter 7, "From Alliance to Union," examines the feasibility of forming an Arab Gulf Union, assessing the GCC's military response to regional threats and its commitment to stability in Lebanon and Yemen. It also addresses the Arab-Persian rivalry, highlighting the historical and geopolitical tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

What are the major challenges and opportunities facing the GCC in the future, considering evolving geopolitical dynamics?

The future of the GCC faces both challenges and opportunities. The evolving geopolitical landscape, including growing Russian influence and potentially decreasing engagement from the United States, requires the GCC to address internal divisions, develop a unified military doctrine, and adapt to shifting global dynamics. These steps are essential for the GCC to ensure its stability and relevance in the coming decades. The potential formation of an Arab Union introduces further complexity to this landscape.