Middle East/Gulf Security Dialogue
Goal: In May 2006, the U.S. government initiated the Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) as a means to promote intra-GCC and GCC-U.S. security cooperation. The Dialogue facilitates discussions between U.S. officials and their GCC counterparts over bilateral and multilateral issues including: (1) the improvement of GCC defense capabilities and interoperability (2) regional security issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (3) counter proliferation (4) counter terrorism (5) infrastructure protection and (6) commitments to Iraq.
Countries Involved: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Schedule of Meetings: GSD discussions have been held semi-annually with the third round of discussions concluded in late 2007, and a new round of talks planned for early 2008.
Middle East/Gulf Arms Package
Goal: In order to improve the interoperability of U.S.-GCC militaries in line with GSD objectives and improve the defense capabilities of GCC countries, the administration announced a series of arms packages. As of January 15, 2008, these agreements totaled $11.5 billion.
Details: The agreements include sales of aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, and armored vehicles to Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The administration has not yet submitted to Congress arms agreements as a part of the GSD with either Oman or Qatar. On January 15 the Bush administration announced that it intended to sell $123 million in precision-guided missile technology to Saudi Arabia. The deal is unlikely to be stopped by Congress, though it may confront some opposition. The Gulf arms package coincides with a pledge by the administration to provide $30 billion in arms funding to Israel and $13 billion to Egypt over a ten-year period.
Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI)
Goal: Launched in June 2004, ICI aims to create strong bilateral security relationships between NATO and countries in the greater Middle East, and in particular, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). NATO currently maintains these relationships through cooperation and dialogue, but hopes to translate these efforts into permanent security sector reforms in the future.
Member Countries: To date, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE have joined ICI, while Oman and Saudi Arabia have indicated their interest in the initiative.
Means of Accomplishing Goals: The member countries participate in multiple areas of bilateral cooperation that strengthen counter terrorism efforts, increase regional stability, and limit the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). These areas include assistance with defense reform and budgeting, training and education, joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, disaster preparedness, crisis management, and border security cooperation to curb illegal trafficking of arms, drugs, and people.
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Goal: Launched on May 31, 2003, PSI focuses on stopping worldwide shipments of WMDs, their delivery systems, and related materials.
Member Countries: PSI includes 86 member countries, including five of the six Gulf states, that support in some way the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles.
Means of Accomplishing Goals: PSI uses existing national and international authorities to accomplish its goals. The initiative encourages security cooperation between member countries, including training exercises and other operational efforts, and the willingness to coordinate joint action as needed. The United States has signed eight bilateral shipboarding agreements with individual member countries, which allows either party to board, search, and possibly detain each country’s vessels.
Measure of Success: The State Department credits PSI with stopping 11 WMD-transfers between 2004-2005 and more than 24 transfers between 2005-2006.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The GCC has been limited in its military and security cooperation over the past two decades. In 1984, the GCC formed the Peninsula Shield Force (PSF), consisting of 10,000 troops. In 2003, PSF troops did deploy into Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom serving as a deterrent force to a possible Iraqi invasion. In December 2006, GCC states announced the creation of a joint nuclear research program in response to Iran’s nuclear program. In addition, on December 9, 2007, Kuwait’s National Security Council Chief Shaikh Ahmed Fahad Al Ahmed Al Sabah indicated that the GCC plans on creating a replacement force to the PSF. This announcement comes as a response to the Iranian government not participating in a regional security meeting held in December 2007.
