Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Bahrain
/ Iran /
Iraq
/ Jordan / Kuwait
/ Oman / Qatar
/ Saudi Arabia / UAE
/ Yemen / Table of Contents
The countries of the Arabian Gulf/Arabian Peninsula Sub-Region can be broadly grouped into two categories. The first are those states comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Members of the GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - share many common goals with the United States, and have been active partners in support of regional objectives. GCC states actively supported Operations Earnest Will, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Restore Hope, UNOSOM II and recently, Vigilant Warrior. These countries continue to make constructive contributions in support of the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and Middle East peace initiatives. The U.S. has bilateral defense cooperation and access agreements with nearly all of the GCC states. In our efforts to improve regional collective defense capabilities, we also continue to encourage multilateral exercises among the Damascus Declaration Countries (GCC plus Egypt and Syria).
Non-GCC countries within the sub-region include Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Yemen. Regimes in two of these countries, Iran and Iraq, continue to threaten the security of the region. Iran, in particular, is rebuilding military capabilities at a rate exceeding that required for defensive purposes. The U.S. and members of the GCC find this pattern alarming. Despite recognizing Kuwait and grudgingly complying with portions of UN Security Council Resolutions, Iraq has remained generally uncooperative. By promoting anti-GCC, anti-Middle East Peace Process, and anti-U.S. postures, Iran and Iraq are the greatest threats to regional peace and stability. The other two non-GCC states, Jordan and Yemen, still feel lingering effects of their pro-Saddam stances during the Gulf War. Jordan has been able to make progress in rebuilding military-to-military relationships with the U.S., and in its conclusion of a treaty with Israel, has taken a great step toward achieving a lasting regional peace. Despite these efforts, Jordan remains distanced from some GCC states. The unified Republic of Yemen continues to struggle to reestablish relationships with its Arab neighbors while continuing its experimentation with democratic processes. Efforts to transition to democratic institutions have proved challenging, resulting in ongoing internal struggle and the threat of dissolution.
(For a listing of sources used for this section, explore the sources link below.)
