Reconsider domestic and foreign policies
The quick changes in the Arab region require that Gulf countries reconsider their domestic and foreign policies to overcome the dangers these countries are facing. Among the most important challenges that face our country is the quick rise of the Iranian influence in the region after the fall of Yemen and Syria, Iraq and Lebanon being under Iran’s mandate. The question - what are the expected Gulf polices towards the accelerating developments in Yemen? And do the Gulf countries have a joint view towards what is going on in Yemen? And where the Gulf countries agree with Iran and where they differ? Especially that there are Gulf countries that have close ties with Iran.
The Gulf countries can form an effective Arab axis to contain the Iranian expansion in the region, especially that Iran uses the religion and sect factor and support of the minorities in the Arab region to strengthen its position, which created crises between Gulf countries and Iran, because the Gulf countries consider Iran’s interference in their domestic affairs a violation of these countries’ sovereignty.
The Iranian policy in the region is contradictory and double-faced, because at the time when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirms his efforts to create positive atmosphere and improve his relations with neighboring Gulf countries, we find him attack Saudi Arabia and UAE for their support of Saddam Hussein during his war with Iran! While the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Essa Al-Khalifa sent a congratulatory letter to the Iranian president on the anniversary of the Iranian revolution victory in 1979, the Iranian Revolution Supreme leader Ali Khamenei received a group of Bahraini opposition during which he blessed their power and steadfastness!
The Arab Gulf countries attempted to protect themselves against the Iranian influence expansion through signing strategic alliances with the US, and among the strange ironies is that the American ally does not want to face Iran now, rather its entire concentration is on fighting the expansion of the Islamic State (Daesh) in the region. The latest visit by American president Barack Obama along with a large American delegation to extend condolences to the Saudi leadership included political talks over several issues, including the war against terrorism and the latest developments in Yemen.
We in the Gulf should understand that the American stand towards Iran is because of a change in the structure of strategic American interests and its work towards grabbing the alternatives that follow the reconciliation with Iran and reduce the burden of confronting it, more than reflecting a victory of any side in the long struggle between them. The interests of the United States in the region are limited to Israel’s security after the US dropped the policy of managing change in the region and the American involvement in the region was reduced. The Arab Gulf countries are required to strengthen the domestic front by following a reform policy that concentrates on the citizenry principle to bring the people closer to their rulers and repel all foreign attempts to expand into our countries.