The Strategic Importance of Simulation Exercises During Emergencies
On January 20, 2026, Bahrain Airport Company, in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announced a partial evacuation drill at Bahrain International Airport, involving a number of employees from the company and Gulf Air, in cooperation with a number of strategic partners within the Kingdom. According to company officials, this drill had three objectives: First, to test the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans to ensure the highest levels of readiness among all emergency response teams through simulation exercises. Second, to enhance effective coordination and joint cooperation between relevant parties, especially with Bahrain Airport partners. Third: To evaluate and continuously develop safety and security protocols to maintain the highest international standards.
In fact, this exercise is one of a series of important exercises in this direction in many institutions in the Kingdom, as in other Arab Gulf countries and countries in the region, which have given these exercises great importance based on three considerations. The first is The link between this type of exercise and crises, which all political science literature agrees are sudden events that require decisive decisions in a limited time frame amid a lack of or conflicting information. Therefore, awareness of how to act during crises limits their negative repercussions. Second: The nature of security threats has changed. Terrorist attacks are no longer conventional; cyberattacks have become a huge threat, especially to vital national infrastructure such as airports and ports. Third: The nature of these exercises themselves, as they simulate a real crisis, so their impact has added value, through identifying capabilities and challenges, determining gaps if any, and then taking the necessary precautionary measures.
In my opinion, these exercises are of strategic importance, not only because of the weight of the experience of the individuals involved in emergency situations, but also because they reinforce coordination between the various agencies in a harmonious manner. The Kingdom of Bahrain has significant experience in coordinating during crises, as these agencies maintain their readiness through specific roles and tasks in all operations, whether in cases of immediate evacuation or responding to emergency threats.
While simulation exercises are important during emergencies, it has been observed that they vary according to the priorities and needs of different countries. For example, the Kingdom of Bahrain is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation at an accelerated pace, as part of its sustainable development plan. There is therefore a clear link between emergencies and technology, which has become prevalent in all areas. In August 2025, the National Cybersecurity Center in the Kingdom of Bahrain organized a national cyber exercise under the slogan “Supply Chain Attacks.” The United Arab Emirates, for example, is keen to participate in nuclear and radiological emergency response exercises, which aim to test countries’ rapid response and early warning capabilities in emergencies, based on their nuclear reactors for peaceful purposes.
Given the strategic importance of the Arab Gulf states’ location and their growing role in regional and international interactions, achieving safety standards and ensuring the operation of vital facilities such as airports and ports enhances their international reputation and consolidates their role as active partners for all global players. It is noted that they are moving in three parallel tracks: First: the practical track, through the regular pace of these exercises, whether within the institution itself or between institutions, to update response plans in line with changing threats. The second is the academic track, as it has been noted that many national defense and police colleges in the Arab Gulf states now have courses on crisis and disaster management and civil emergency planning, which is a very important trend because history is replete with many experiences of countries whose circumstances are similar to those of the Arab Gulf states. It is important to learn from these experiences, as well as how to use artificial intelligence in simulation models during emergencies. The third path is the keenness of the Gulf countries to have a unified strategy for emergencies, which can be addressed collectively through the “Gulf Cooperation Council Emergency Management Center” which was established in 2013 and is based in Kuwait. The center plays an important role in monitoring these risks and threats, given the chronic regional tensions and their impact on the security of the Arab Gulf states. For example, the center’s role was activated during the clashes between Iran and Israel in June 2025 to take preventive measures at the environmental and radiological levels, which could be affected by any expected nuclear leaks, and to exchange information with the relevant authorities in member states.
In summary, simulation exercises have become a topic of interest for countries around the world and are an essential part of both practical training and academic institutions.
Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.
Dr. Ashraf Mohammed Keshk Director of Strategic and International Studies Program
