Supranational military force needed to face challenges

Abdullah Bishara, President of the Diplomatic Centre for Strategic Studies in Kuwait, stressed that the Gulf Cooperation Council has not yet risen to global and regional expectations. While GCC countries seek economic integration, each country has its own path in the spheres of politics and diplomacy.

“The council has yet to build a real deterrent power,” he said during the 4th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on Sunday.

Bishara said that the GCC needs to beef up its charter so that it can transform into a “union” and build up a supranational military power.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a leading Emirati political analyst, accused Iran of obstructing attempts by the GCC to build a unified security system.

Abdullah said the chances of a fourth Gulf war between the GCC and Iran have grown from zero at the beginning of this year to 20 per cent and expects the chances of war to double to 40 per cent next year if the tension continues.

Dr. Ayed Al Manna, an academic and political researcher, said that GCC countries must build a military force to confront challenges, specifically from Iran.

Salem Al Yami, a political analyst, pointed out that Gulf security currently depends on Western countries that have goals that may not necessarily align with the goals of Gulf states.

Bishara said the crisis with Qatar and the Arab Quartet “paralysed” the GCC council, and found no alternative solution to the crisis other that dialogue.

Abdullah, however, said that boycotting Qatar should continue despite the consequences and the cost resulting from it, because it should not be allowed to continue to “undermine” the policies of the rest of the countries in the region.