Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2014

The US and the Gulf States: Uncertain Partners in a Changing Region

Richard LeBaron

February 2013

Atlantic Council

Abstract

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security are pleased to release a new issue brief, "The United States and the Gulf States: Uncertain Partners in a Changing Region." Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron evaluates the relationship between the United States and the Gulf states as they face democratic transitions in the Arab world as well as security challenges in the Gulf.

Whether in Egypt or Syria, Gulf states have reacted differently to the rapid political change in the region. The looming threat of Iran attaining nuclear weapons has brought greater urgency to efforts to enhance regional security, and is complicated by distrust in the Gulf over the long-term durability of the US commitment to Gulf security.

LeBaron also proposes an agenda as the basis for the United States and the Gulf states to reexamine and renew their partnership in the context of a changing region.