Gulf Cooperation Council states face mounting pressure to accelerate domestic defence capabilities and diversify security partnerships, according to analysis presented at the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos meeting in Dalian.
The call for strategic autonomy comes as uncertainty over long-term US security guarantees in the Middle East intensifies, driven by shifting American military posture and evolving regional dynamics.
The discussion highlighted a growing consensus among Middle Eastern business and policy leaders that reliance on external diplomatic mediation is giving way to prioritized regional economic integration and self-reliance.
This pivot reflects a broader recalibration of risk management strategies across the Gulf, where governments are increasingly viewing defence industrial base development as critical to national sovereignty.
Compounding these concerns is the reported US evaluation of relocating military installations in the Persian Gulf westward, potentially including a move to Israel, to reduce exposure to Iranian missile and drone threats.
Such a strategic shift would significantly alter the security architecture of the region, leaving Gulf states to fill potential capability gaps.