Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
U.S.-GCC military relationship
U.S. forces in GCC countries: 40,000
U.S. forces in Gulf waters: 20,000
2007 U.S. anticipated arms sales to GCC countries: $20 billion
Bahrain
Ethnic Makeup: Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6%
Religious Makeup: Muslim (Shi’a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8%
Political System: Constitutional monarchy based on Islamic and English common laws, led by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
Regional Role: Bahrain enjoys strong economic and diplomatic ties with other GCC member countries. Bahrain’s largest financial backers, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E., continue to be its strongest allies in the Gulf. Relations between Bahrain and Qatar improved after an International Court of Justice decision in 2001, which settled territorial disputes between the countries. Bahrain-Iranian tensions arose in 1981 after the discovery of an Iranian-planned coup in Bahrain and worsened with fears of Iranian participation in local unrest in the mid-1990s.
Role in the Middle East Peace Process: As a requirement of the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement in 2004, Bahrain ended its boycott of Israel. More recently Bahrainian Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss peace possibilities.
Kuwait
Ethnic Makeup: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religious Makeup: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi’a 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%
Political System: Constitutional Emirate ruled by al-Sabah family.
Regional Role: Kuwait holds strong diplomatic ties with the other GCC countries as a result of support during the 1991 Gulf War. Kuwait allowed these countries to play a vital role in the reconstruction of Kuwait after the war. Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations have improved through diplomatic efforts since the beginning of the Iraq War, however Kuwait has yet to transfer much of its $565 million pledge in October 2003 to Iraq.
Oman
Ethnic Makeup: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religious Makeup: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi’a Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Political System: Monarchy based on Islamic law and English common law, led by Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said al-Said
Role in the Middle East Peace Process: Oman has consistently supported Middle East peace initiatives. In 1994 the country hosted the first meeting of the Water Working Group, a project of the 1991 Madrid Conference. Oman and Israel opened mutual trade offices in 1996, they later closed in 2000. At the recent UN conference, Livni met with Omani leaders to discuss the November summit and appeared together in public with Sayyid Badr, Omani secretary-general of the foreign ministry, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Middle East Desalination Research Center. This was the first joint public appearance of Israeli and Omani officials.
Qatar
Ethnic Makeup: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religious Makeup: Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
Political System: Emirate based on Islamic and civil law codes, led by Amir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
Regional Role: Strained relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia has hindered success of GCC initiatives as member countries were forced to choose sides. This uneasy relationship arose out of border disputes and foreign policy disagreements. Reconciliation began on September 23 when Saudi King Abdullah met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. These talks focused on the spreading violence in Iraq, the growing role of Iran in the Middle East, and the U.S.-sponsored November peace conference.
Role in the Middle East Peace Process: Foreign Minister Livni met with Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on September 25 during the UN General Assembly. The talks were the highest-ever level of contacts between Israeli and Qatari officials. The countries discussed Gulf countries’ role in supporting the Palestinians in advancing the peace process.
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Makeup: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religious Makeup: Muslim 100%
Political System: Monarchy based on Islamic law, led by King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud
Regional Role: As the protector of the two holiest Islamic sites, Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in both the Islamic world and Gulf region. Saudi Arabia’s role in post-war Iraq is controversial as the country agreed to forgive 80% of Iraq’s $15 billion debt, however it has failed to deliver its $1 billion pledge for reconstruction aid, along with being accused of allowing foreign fighters to enter into Iraq and supporting Sunni militia groups. In February 2007, Saudi Arabia brokered the Mecca Accords which created a Palestinian unity government. In March, the country hosted the annual Arab summit, focused on mediating between Lebanese oppositional forces and the government and curbing Iranian influence in Iraq.
Role in the Middle East Peace Process: The country plays an increasingly important role in the peace process. In March 2002 then Crown Prince Abdullah put forward what became the Arab Peace Initiative, a proposed regional approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Saudis sought to reinvigorate the initiative in 2006 as part of their growing role in the Middle East. The U.S. sees Saudi participation in the November conference as important.
United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
Ethnic Makeup: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%;
Religious Makeup: Muslim 96% (Shi’a 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%
Political System: A federation of seven states share power with the central government, led by President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum, and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Muhammad bin Zayyed al-Nahyan. The legal system is based off a balance of Islamic law and civil courts.
Regional Role: The U.A.E. wields significant influence throughout the Gulf region and international system, politically and economically. The country pledged $215 million in economic and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi government in 2003. Additionally, U.A.E gains great international influence through foreign investment in the country and managing oil and gas resources.
