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.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain to sell a preliminary Iran accord to Gulf allies, amid concerns over a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Tehran.

|ByREUTERS
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

Iran will soon begin implementing a long-planned electricity grid connection with Qatar, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said, adding that Tehran is also studying similar links with other Gulf states.

|ByJAMES GENN
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

Those who enlist in the national service program will also receive financial incentives and have the opportunity to pursue permanent residency.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Qatar’s hurdles

“When you want to do work in Gaza, you have to go through the Israelis. Without the help of Israel, nothing happens.”

FEBRUARY 26, 2018ByKENNETH BANDLER
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (R) speaks next to Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah at the opening session of the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, January 30, 2018

Israel, sports and the Gulf: Is Mike Pence keeping score?

The president now understands that the blockade is counter-productive to the cause of peace and stability, and should be ended as soon as possible, with Qatar embraced by all members of the GCC.

JANUARY 22, 2018ByMARC SCHNEIER
Dudi Sela/ Courtesy of the Israeli Tennis Association

Israel and the Gulf

Iran’s rising military assertiveness after the 2003 Iraq War and pursuit of a nuclear deterrent further entrenched the pro-stability agenda that binds Israel to Saudi Arabia.

DECEMBER 26, 2017BySAMUEL RAMANI
A NEWS conference with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, following the annual summit of GCC, in Kuwait City.