In 2018, Emirati academic Abdulkhaleq Abdulla published a book titled The Gulf Moment, arguing that states such as the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia had eclipsed countries such as Egypt and Iraq - the historical core of the region - and were now projecting political, economic and cultural power on the world stage.
Central to this transformation, he argued, was the deep integration of Gulf states within the global economy.
“The Gulf’s moment is unprecedented in Arab history,” he wrote, noting that it “coincided with the coming of a new defining moment in world history, namely globalisation”.
Abdulla correctly pointed out that the integration of Gulf states within the global economy has been central to their success, as their development is deeply tied to international flows of energy, commodities, capital and labour.
But as a result of this reliance on global commerce, the US-Israeli war on Iran that started in February has been a major shock to Gulf economies. In retaliation against the brutal air offensive by Israel and the US, Iran has pursued a strategy of attacks on energy infrastructure and logistical facilities in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456
