Gulf Cooperation Council

The flydubai hijacking exposed a flaw in Gulf security. Here's how the GCC can counter it - opinion

Modern security in the Gulf can no longer be defined solely by air-defense batteries, maritime patrols, or regional troop posture, but also the subtle, high-trust operational spaces of everyday life.

A flydubai Boeing 737-8 MAX A6-FKF aircraft
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the Negev Conference in the southern city of Dimona, southern Israel, July 17, 2026.

Netanyahu vows Iran will never have nuclear weapons, rejects BoP's 15-point Gaza plan

US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a Congressional Roundtable on Anti-Fraud Initiatives at the Indian Treaty Room of Eisenhower Executive Office Building on August 5, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Attacks continue in Strait of Hormuz as Vance notes progress in Iran negotiations

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (L) shakes hands with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (R) before a meeting in Muscat, Oman, on June 22, 2026: Illustrative.

IDF reportedly delayed disclosure of Hezbollah ceasefire violation, Hormuz deal expected soon


Tariffs rattle gulf markets, but some economists see a silver lining

Analysts indicate that low US tariffs for Gulf countries may attract international companies, but others caution that global tariffs could threaten vital oil income and raise consumer goods costs.

 Family group photos of all the participating members during the Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit (ASEAN-GCC Summit) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 20, 2023

Voices from the Arab press: Trump’s Gaza plan remains a fantasy

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

 (L-R) US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a backdrop of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

UAE looks to China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative for future endeavors - analysis

The UAE, like many countries, has trade with China – but that isn’t a zero-sum game in terms of ties to the West.

 China’s Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, China’s President Xi Jinping, United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Blinken urges Hamas to accept 'extraordinarily generous' Israeli peace proposal, releasing hostages

Blinken will visit Israel and Jordan after he visits Saudi Arabia, the State Department announced on Sunday. The US official will be in the region until May 1.

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the GCC-US Strategic Partnership to discuss the humanitarian crises faced in Gaza, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024.

Turkey and Gulf states to launch talks for free trade pact

After years of tension, Turkey launched a diplomatic charm offensive in 2020 to mend ties with Gulf countries, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

 Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates meets with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, during an official reception, at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, July 19, 2023.

Qatar to host foreign ministers from Gulf on Sunday

The meeting, reported in Arab News, is expected to take place ahead of the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

A Qatar Airways flight.

Gulf states and US seek MidEast stability, Iran 'de-escalation' 

The US and Gulf powers reportedly welcome diplomatic engagement with Iran despite Tehran's history of malign activities.

Leaders and representatives of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attend a meeting during their annual summit in Kuwait City, Kuwait, December 5, 2017.

Qatar's tourism industry thrives post-World Cup: 347% increase in arrivals expected

Doha is increasingly competitive with more traditional tourist centers such as Dubai and Manama.

  Fans arriving in Qatar - Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar - November 19, 2022

Iran, Russia spar over ‘non-negotiable’ Gulf islands

Russia issued a joint statement with the Gulf Cooperation Council in support of the UAE's initiative to reach a peaceful agreement on the three Gulf islands.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin sits next to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran July 19, 2022.

Russia and Gulf countries seek to increase cooperation - analysis

The Gulf is increasingly a center of world affairs, with Russia's meeting with the GCC coming amid the war in Ukraine as well as other high-profile international delegations.

 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi attend a joint press conference in Moscow, on July 10, 2023.