The Gulf between war and humanity

In the ongoing war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, Gulf states have found themselves in a deeply precarious position. A political, security and economic shock has shaken the region, raising urgent questions for its citizens: how can they live amid such instability, and how can they safeguard their security and future?
While the war has generated military and political turmoil, it has also unleashed a parallel form of chaos across social media platforms. Public discourse in the Gulf now reveals clear divisions, reflecting differences in official state positions. Some governments view the continuation of the conflict as a direct threat to economic and security stability and call for urgent political settlement, while others see weakening Iran as a strategic necessity. In both cases, vital infrastructure — energy facilities, ports and maritime routes — has become a direct target, placing not only Gulf economies but the global economy under unprecedented strain.
One of the most significant consequences of the conflict has been the erosion of public confidence in the American security umbrella. Many Gulf citizens now question whether reliance on Washington remains viable. Despite the presence of American military bases, these facilities have proven ineffective in preventing attacks. Instead, a growing perception has emerged that such bases primarily serve to protect Israel rather than the Gulf itself.
This concern has been openly reflected in public discourse. A widely circulated social media trend in Kuwait questioned the long-held belief in American protection, with users arguing that Gulf states had spent decades assuming security guarantees that failed to materialise when most needed. Such sentiments highlight a widening gap between official security arrangements and public perception.
For Gulf citizens, the consequences are immediate and personal. There is a persistent sense of vulnerability, as cities and vital infrastructure — energy plants, desalination facilities, financial systems — are increasingly seen as potential targets. A sustained escalation could set the region back decades, affecting everything from daily communications to financial stability.
The war has also exposed deeper structural weaknesses. Security systems once considered advanced have struggled to counter modern threats such as drones, precision missiles and cyberattacks. At the same time, long-discussed initiatives for collective defence within the Gulf have remained largely theoretical. Proposals for a unified Gulf military force were raised decades ago but never fully implemented, leaving the region without a coherent defensive framework.
Economic fragility has been equally evident. The mere possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz has shaken markets, revealing the continued dependence of Gulf economies on oil exports. Despite vast spending on military procurement, insufficient attention has been given to economic diversification and the development of resilient security systems. The result is a paradox: wealth without strategic strength.
Another critical issue lies in the absence of an independent Gulf strategic vision. Rather than articulating a cohesive regional project, Gulf states have often aligned themselves with external narratives, particularly in framing Iran as a primary adversary. In some cases, this positioning appears driven more by sectarian considerations than by a rational strategic framework. Such approaches weaken regional coherence and reduce policy to reactive positioning rather than a proactive strategy.
The war has also highlighted internal societal vulnerabilities. Limited population size and heavy reliance on foreign labour create potential avenues for social and political penetration. Reports of espionage networks linked to external actors underscore the risks associated with unmanaged demographic imbalances. Strengthening national identity, investing in education and promoting civic participation are therefore essential to building long-term resilience.
These challenges are not new. From the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 to more recent attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the region has repeatedly faced security threats with similar structural weaknesses. The persistence of these patterns suggests that critical lessons have yet to be fully absorbed.
If the current conflict serves as a strategic wake-up call, then the priority for Gulf states must be to redefine collective security and develop a shared vision for the future. This requires deeper political coordination, genuine economic diversification and stronger societal cohesion. Only through such measures can the region move from vulnerability to resilience.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in Arabic in the Oman Arabic newspaper on March 30

Zahir al Mahrouqi The writer focuses on regional politics