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TheArab states of the Persian Gulf, also known as theArab Gulf states (Arabic:دول الخليج العربي),[1] refers to a group ofArab states bordering thePersian Gulf. There are seven member states of theArab League in the region:Bahrain,Kuwait,Iraq,Oman,Qatar,Saudi Arabia, and theUnited Arab Emirates.[2][3][4]Yemen is bound to the six countries of theGulf Cooperation Council, based onhistory andculture.[5]
The term has been used in different contexts to refer to a number of Arab states in thePersian Gulf region. The prominent regional political unionGulf Cooperation Council includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.[6][7][8] In modern history, various formerBritish Empireprotectorates,[9][10][11] including theTrucial States were Arab states along thePersian Gulf.[12][13][14]
Some of thePersian gulf states areconstitutional monarchies with elected parliaments.Bahrain (Majlis al Watani) andKuwait (Majlis al Ummah) have legislatures with members elected by the population.[15]
The Gulf monarchies have developed what political scientists term a 'tribal dynastic monarchy' system, which distinguishes them from other Middle Eastern monarchical systems.[16] This governance model emerged from traditional chieftaincies and incorporates two key mechanisms: 'balanced opposition', where power is distributed among tribal groups, and 'affiliation solidarity', which maintains cohesion through kinship networks. This system has enabled ruling families to adapt traditional authority structures to modern state institutions, contributing to their resilience compared to other Middle Eastern monarchies that were overthrown in the twentieth century.[16]
TheSultanate of Oman also has an advisory council (Majlis ash-Shura) that is popularly elected.[15] In theUnited Arab Emirates, a federation of seven monarchical emirates, theFederal National Council, functions only as an advisory body, but some of its members are now chosen via a limitedelectoral college nominated by the seven rulers.[citation needed]
TheKingdom of Saudi Arabia remains ahereditary monarchy with limited political representation. InQatar, an elected national parliament has been mooted and is written into the new constitution, but elections are yet to be held.[17] Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the two Arab states andabsolute monarchies to have never held elections since their respective establishments as nations in 1932 and 1971 respectively.[18] Iraq is the onlyfederal republic situated in thePersian Gulf.
Mass media in the seven ArabPersian gulf states havevarying degrees of freedom, withKuwait topping the league with a lively press that enjoys considerably more freedom than its gulf counterparts according toFreedom House andReporters Without Borders.[citation needed] Both organizations rank Kuwait's press as the freest of all Arab states of thePersian Gulf. Kuwait ranks amongst the top three for free press in the Arab world.[19][20] Qatar and Oman come in second and third respectively within the regional ranks of the ArabPersian gulf states.[citation needed]
The seven Arab gulf states lie in a volatile region and their seven governments, with varying degrees of success and effort, try and advance peace in their own countries and other countries. However, Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region—specifically Qatar—stand accused of fundingmilitantIslamist organizations, such asHamas and theMuslim Brotherhood.[21] According to theInstitute for Economics and Peace (IEP)'sGlobal Peace Index of 2016, the six governments had varying degrees of success in maintaining peace amongst their respective borders with Qatar ranked number 1 amongst its regional peers as the most peaceful regional and Middle Eastern nation (and ranked 34 worldwide), while Kuwait ranks second both in the Persian Gulf andMiddle East regions (and 51 worldwide), followed by the UAE in the third spot (61 worldwide).[22]
Most of these Arab states have significant revenues frompetroleum. TheUnited Arab Emirates has been successfullydiversifying its economy. 79% of UAE'stotal GDP comes from non-oil sectors.[23] Oil accounts for only 2% of Dubai's GDP.[24] Bahrain has the Persian Gulf's first "post-oil" economy because the Bahraini economy does not rely on oil.[25]
Since the late 20th century, Bahrain has heavily invested in thebanking andtourism sectors.[26] The country's capital,Manama, is home to many large financial structures. The UAE and Bahrain have a highHuman Development Index (ranking 31 and 42 worldwide respectively in 2019) and was recognised by theWorld Bank ashigh income economies. According to theWorld Bank, most of these Arab states have been the world's most generous donors of aid as a share of GDP.[27]
The persistent instability in the Middle East, particularly the ongoingIsraeli war on Gaza, poses a considerable threat to the Gulf Cooperation Council states' economic ambitions. Regional stability is paramount for these nations to achieve their goals, as it directly impacts the investment climate and their capacity to engage in global trade and tourism.[28]
The Gulf states' economic and political strategies are thus characterized by a dual focus on internal diversification and external stabilization. By investing in new economic sectors and pursuing diplomatic avenues for conflict resolution, these states aim to secure their futures in a post-oil era while navigating the complex dynamics of Middle Eastern politics. This strategic approach underscores the intricate link between regional stability and economic prosperity in the Gulf, highlighting the importance of continued efforts towards peace and cooperation in the Middle East.
The authors first focus on the politics of seven Gulf states: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
A leading American diplomat will start a trip to Iraq and six other Arab countries of the Persian Gulf region this week to discuss the Iran-Iraq war, Administration officials said today.
The Gulf Cooperation Council countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – are important markets for EU agricultural exports.
For the rulers of the Arab emirates of the Persian Gulf, Wilson's announcement signaled an end of British military protection, and the beginning of a process of negotiations that culminated in the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 3, 1971. An examination of the process by which the individual Persian Gulf states became a sovereign federation presents an opportunity to examine the roles of nationalism and anti-imperialism played in the establishment of the Union.
