Gulf Cooperation Council

Gulf countries weigh next steps after Iran war amid Rubio visit to Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE

Rubio was in the UAE and then Kuwait. The visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE are important, as these countries were attacked by Iran during the latest conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media upon his arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2026.
 President Trump Attends G7 Summit In Evian, France EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JUNE 17: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a press conference during the G7 Leaders' Summit on June 17, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Rubio heads to UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain to discuss Iran deal with Gulf allies

An illustration of Iran's flag and an electric pylon network.

Iran will connect electric grid to Qatar in near future, Tehran's energy minister says - report

A Qatar flag in front of the Doha skyline on September 20, 2025.

Qatar expands national service for non-residents born in the country, children of Qatari mothers


Bahrain unveils massive reform package to tackle $50 billion debt crisis

The reform package includes higher electricity and water tariffs, with an exception for citizens’ first homes, which will continue to receive subsidized rates up to a specified limit.

BAHRAIN'S MINISTER of Finance and National Economy, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa speaks during a financial conference in Manama, Bahrain February 27, 2019.

Egypt's Sisi refers to Israel as 'enemy' for first time since before 1977 Sadat visit to Jerusalem

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi labeled Israel an “enemy” at the Arab-Islamic summit, saying its actions threaten Egypt’s security and future peace deals, including by causing Gazans to flee.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025; illustrative.

Tariffs rattle gulf markets, but some economists see a silver lining

Analysts indicate that low US tariffs for Gulf countries may attract international companies, but others caution that global tariffs could threaten vital oil income and raise consumer goods costs.

 Family group photos of all the participating members during the Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit (ASEAN-GCC Summit) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 20, 2023

Voices from the Arab press: Trump’s Gaza plan remains a fantasy

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

 (L-R) US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a backdrop of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

UAE looks to China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative for future endeavors - analysis

The UAE, like many countries, has trade with China – but that isn’t a zero-sum game in terms of ties to the West.

 China’s Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, China’s President Xi Jinping, United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Blinken urges Hamas to accept 'extraordinarily generous' Israeli peace proposal, releasing hostages

Blinken will visit Israel and Jordan after he visits Saudi Arabia, the State Department announced on Sunday. The US official will be in the region until May 1.

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the GCC-US Strategic Partnership to discuss the humanitarian crises faced in Gaza, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024.

Turkey and Gulf states to launch talks for free trade pact

After years of tension, Turkey launched a diplomatic charm offensive in 2020 to mend ties with Gulf countries, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

 Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates meets with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, during an official reception, at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, July 19, 2023.

Qatar to host foreign ministers from Gulf on Sunday

The meeting, reported in Arab News, is expected to take place ahead of the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

A Qatar Airways flight.

Gulf states and US seek MidEast stability, Iran 'de-escalation' 

The US and Gulf powers reportedly welcome diplomatic engagement with Iran despite Tehran's history of malign activities.

Leaders and representatives of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attend a meeting during their annual summit in Kuwait City, Kuwait, December 5, 2017.

Qatar's tourism industry thrives post-World Cup: 347% increase in arrivals expected

Doha is increasingly competitive with more traditional tourist centers such as Dubai and Manama.

  Fans arriving in Qatar - Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar - November 19, 2022