Iranian Century: The Tension between Iran and the Gulf States

摘要

The Arabian Gulf plays a significant role in the world because of its oil wealth. During the last 30 years, three wars have taken place in the region, resulting in regional and global instability: the Iran-Iraq war, the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991, and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The fall of Iraq made Iran a more powerful player in the region, and as a domination strategy, Iran launched its nuclear program. Iran represents a major power in the Persian Gulf, and it can destabilize the regional balance even more if it develops its own nuclear weapons. If that happens, a potential arms race could begin because an Iranian nuclear program would threaten the region's stability. The highest priority of Iran's neighbors should be to make the Gulf region free from weapons of mass destruction by all available means. The Gulf States, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar should work collectively to protect and defend their interests. In an unpredictable world, a power vacuum could arise at any time in the region, especially when the United States withdraws from Iraq. More cooperation and coordination through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could help the Gulf States develop the capacity they need to play a larger role in the region.