Gulf States Reassess Security as Israel Emerges Primary Threat

Gulf Cooperation Council states are undergoing a fundamental transformation in threat perception, with Israel emerging as a primary regional concern following direct military actions against GCC members. This strategic reassessment marks a significant departure from traditional security paradigms that prioritized Iran and non-state actors as principal regional threats.

The September 2025 Israeli airstrike on Doha represented a watershed moment, fundamentally altering Gulf security calculations by demonstrating Israel's willingness to target GCC member states directly. This development has accelerated a broader reevaluation of regional alliances and security dependencies, particularly regarding the reliability of American protection guarantees for key Arab partners.

GCC nations are increasingly pursuing diversified defense partnerships and more independent foreign policies in response to perceived US unreliability and Israel's expanding regional military operations. Countries like Türkiye are emerging as significant security partners as Gulf states seek to reduce dependency on traditional Western military suppliers and develop more autonomous defense capabilities.

Israel's regional actions are increasingly viewed as directly threatening Gulf economic diversification initiatives and long-term stability requirements. The potential for broader regional conflict undermines the investment climate and tourism development essential to Vision 2030-style economic transformation programs, creating new pressures on Gulf leadership to ensure national security through alternative arrangements.