Report · Injoys
Gulf States' Middle East War Diplomacy: Gains and Losses
Gulf states' diplomacy combines military cooperation with managing relations with Iran. Comparing each country's interests and the vulnerability of desalination and energy facilities makes it hard to conclude that the US is leaving or that China has won outright.
- Gulf states manage relations with Iran differently depending on territorial disputes, energy resources, and development plans.
- The vulnerability of desalination facilities raises the cost of escalation, but it is not the only factor in decisions about military responses.
- China's diplomatic gains must be assessed alongside its losses from disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies.