Blog Post

As Iranian strikes exposed structural gaps, Gulf states are expanding their air defense architecture through new suppliers, lower-cost systems, and operational partnerships.

The IRGC did not seize power in a single stroke. It accumulated it – patiently, methodically – until no counterweight remained.

The blockade, artfully deployed, and a focus on coalition building, international law, and interests-based negotiations can help the United States and its Gulf allies extricate themselves from the current impasse.

As Iranian drones and missiles have rained down on the Gulf, the targeted states have found unexpected allies globally but little support from their Arab neighbors.

In the future landscape of Gulf security, the United States may remain an essential arms supplier but wield less influence over force structure and military doctrine.

With Iran, Qatar is balancing dialogue with deterrence.

The oil market is no longer anchored by a shared baseline. Instead, it is being pulled in different directions by competing assumptions about geopolitics, prices, and economic resilience.

Regardless of the outcome of ongoing U.S.-Iranian negotiations, Gulf states are likely to speed up the diversification of their defense partnerships, including with each other, though many hurdles have yet to be overcome.