CIAO DATE: 01/2015
December 2014
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Creating effective strategic partnerships requires a strong voice that speaks for the common interests of all the GCC states, and provides a clear picture of the region’s calculations and interests to its outside allies. No partnership is stronger than all of its partners. The goal should be to set priorities based on realistic assessments of the overall threat, current capabilities, and mission priorities. They should be based on hard numbers and facts. They should not rely on exaggerated estimates of either the threat or friendly capabilities, or fears of what Iran does not have and cannot execute, and conspiracy theories about neighboring states and outside allies. Iran is not a regional superpower. Most of its conventional forces are obsolete or do not compare to the forces of the GCC states, much less to the combined forces of the GCC, the US, Britain, and France. The Gulf has a decisive superiority in air power, land-based air defenses, and modern land and naval weapons.
Resource link: The Emirates Center and Gulf Think Tanks: The Next Twenty years [PDF] - 550K