Contemporary security challenges facing GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) - Essay Example

Contemporary Security Challenges Facing GCC Due Outline Introduction a. Invasion of Iraq by the US in 2003 resulted to emergence of new challenges and threats for Arab states belonging of the GCC.b. GCC member states have engaged in discussions to encourage countries such as Yemen, Morocco, and Jordan to join the group.c. Formation of a gulf union has been proposed to address the current events being witnessed in the region.1 2. GCC Overview a. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental economic and political organization comprising of Arab states situated in the Persian Gulf.b. GCC members include Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Omanc.

GCC aims at realizing unity among member states having set similar objectives.d. GCC cultural and political identities are based on Islamic beliefs.2 e. The Peninsula Shield Force is serves as the military body that aims at deterring and responding to any form of military aggression against members of GCC.3. What are the geostrategic features of the GCC States? a. The Persian Gulf and the Middle East are among the most unstable regions globally and world affairs’ centres economically, strategically, culturally, religiously and politically sensitive regions.b. Persian Gulf location has provided considerable strategic and economic position.c. Persian Gulf and Middle East region areas are characterized by dangerous and unresolved conflicts comprising of arms proliferation, external powers, and religious and ethnic hatred.d. The Persian Gulf as well as its coastal regions serve as the biggest source of crude oil and other associated industries.e. Based on the huge oil as well as gas resources found in the region, the states in the region play a dominant role in the global economy.3 4. What is the security perspective of the GCC states?a. Arab gulf state perspectivei.

Arab countries linked with the GCC have merged to help address the problems caused by Iraqi Shiites.ii. GCC states need to apply for regionalization in the in the Gulf region to address the conflicts that are created by non-GCC members in the region. iii. Merge efforts to boost identity, security definition, and outside support dependency.4 b. Iran’s Security Perspective i. Based on the interference of Iran in the case of Bahrain, it is possible for conflict to emerge as other GCC states initiate efforts to support Bahrain. ii. The economic, political, military, and cultural factors shape Iran’s multifaceted approach towards security of the Gulf region.iii. Geopolitical imperatives by Iran in line with its development plans have boosted the security of the Gulf region in the era of globalization. iv. As a major supplier of global energy, it is possible for Iran to define and articulate the GCC interests to rhyme with regional and global forces.5 c. USA Security Perspective i.

The US plans to boost military sales in a selective and deliberate manner to enhance security and reform measures among Gulf States. ii. Reinforce emphasis on security and political sector reform to facilitate durable security. iii. Articulate for a positive, comprehensive vision to facilitate for cooperation of the U.S. with Gulf States. 5. What are the contemporary security challenges for the GCC states? a. Internal Challengesi. GCC unity is challenged by disagreements among member countries.ii. Internal security among GCC member states is threatened by issues such as transnational terrorism and energy security threat, which aim at breaking the social contract that links the states together. iii. GCC states are encountering challengers in terms of controlling information flow between them, making the ideas they raise towards expanding the region to erode.6 b. External Challenges a) In terms of external stability of the region, the current instability and conflict being witnessed in Iraq and the tensions it has with Iran and the international community has destabilized GCC efforts.b) A number of threats are being witnessed to supply chain and maritime security, especially through Straits of Hormuz, deterring the member states to unify their efforts and realize growth. c) Iranian ambitions to develop nuclear abilities and realize regional hegemony posed threats to GCC.7d) The ISIS hopes to dominate all Arab states, and its practices pose tremendous threat to Gulf States, particularly because it has access to nuclear weapons. e) The efforts that Gulf States have made to initiate lasting diplomatic relations with Israel have failed, particularly because Israel considers some Arab countries as enemies of the state due to the continued domination of the ISIS in the region.8 6. What are the ways in which the security challenges can be addressed?a. Seek support of world powers such as the U.S. for military support against conflicting non-GCC states. b. Establish political, cultural, economic, and social identity to streamline cooperation among GCC states.

9 Bibliography Low, Linda and Lorraine Carlos Salazar. The Gulf Cooperation Council: A Rising Power and Lessons for ASEAN. London: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2011.Nakhleh, Emile. The Gulf Cooperation Council: policies, problems, and prospects. Michigan: Praegar, 2012.Peterson, Roswell Erik. The Gulf Cooperation Council: search for unity in a dynamic region. Boston: Westview Press, 2008.Ramazani, Rouhollah and Joseph Kechichian. The Gulf Cooperation Council: Record and Analysis. Virginia: University of Virginia Press, 2009.

Sassanpour, Cyrus. Policy Challenges in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries. Washington DC: International Monetary Fund, 2007.