Gulf Cooperation Council

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six Arab monarchies: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1981, it aims to foster cooperation in economic, social, and security matters. The GCC is currently newsworthy due to escalating regional tensions, primarily involving Iran and its proxy groups. Recent events include drone and missile attacks on GCC member states, despite a US-Iran ceasefire, prompting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to summon Iraqi envoys. The GCC has sought UN Security Council support to address these attacks and secure vital waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, but faced vetoes from China and Russia. The organization is now focused on joint defense initiatives and economic development, while navigating the complexities of US-Iran relations and seeking a new security architecture for the region.