On May 25, 2025, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) marked the 42nd anniversary of its founding on May 20, 1981. This regional organization was born amid intense regional circumstances that posed serious security challenges to the Gulf states—starting with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the eruption of the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), and the intensifying Cold War, all of which had a profound impact on Gulf security. In the face of these challenges, a collective Gulf vision emerged: the need for a unified regional framework to confront these threats. The GCC was established as a shared security identity that brought together states with similar political, economic, social, historical, and cultural traits, while simultaneously excluding external states.

The founding charter’s preamble and Article 4 emphasize that coordination toward integration was the goal of the Council. This goal has been pursued in numerous areas—too many to detail—but what is clear is the member states’ strong commitment to sustaining and developing the GCC as the collective framework for Gulf efforts and a stabilizing force for regional power balance and security. This vision was reaffirmed in the GCC Regional Security Vision, announced on March 28, 2024.

While many analyses, particularly Western ones, have criticized or underestimated the Council’s role—especially regarding its security dimension or the Charter’s content—the reality is that the GCC has succeeded in upholding the principle that “Gulf security is indivisible.” Over more than four decades, it has served as a pillar of regional balance in the face of enormous challenges.

The first challenge was the Iranian Revolution, whose ideological ambitions targeted the Gulf region as a primary testing ground. The Gulf states’ collective policies acted as a barrier to this expansion. Next came the Iran–Iraq War, which brought about attempts by both sides to shift the regional balance of power. In response, the GCC established its own collective security mechanism—the Peninsula Shield Force—in 1982. It also pursued joint diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including a ministerial committee of seven states and UN resolutions on maritime threats. The Council’s regional leadership reached its peak during the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, showcasing its joint military and diplomatic capabilities. Despite the surprise of Iraq’s 1990 invasion, the GCC responded through military deployments (Peninsula Shield units halted Iraqi advances and protected vital facilities until the international coalition formed) and diplomatic initiatives supporting UN Security Council resolutions under Chapter VII.

The Arab Spring brought equally serious dangers. The GCC collectively backed Bahrain’s security, and also provided economic support to Bahrain and Oman, demonstrating shared destiny. The Council remained engaged in neighboring conflicts—proposing a comprehensive peace initiative in Yemen in 2011, and offering continuous humanitarian aid amid the now 14-year war.

The GCC also strengthened ties with Iraq through reciprocal visits and collective declarations of support, while its role in Syria was highlighted by a December 2024 visit by Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya—delivering a message of support for Syria’s sovereignty and unity, in line with Ministerial Council directives.

Evaluating regional organizations such as the GCC should not focus solely on development, security, or political accomplishments. Rather, their effectiveness is also measured by their crisis management capabilities. Security organizations exist to safeguard the regional order—not merely to pursue economic goals. In that sense, the very endurance of the GCC—especially while other regional organizations have stalled or collapsed—is proof of its resilience and the determination of its member states to continue and evolve.

What stands out today is the Council’s increasing emphasis on collective coordination with global powers, seen in its strategic dialogues with international organizations and major economic blocs. This unified approach enhances the value of global partnerships and aligns with shared Gulf interests.

At a time when non-state actors threaten national unity and regional security, the GCC remains tasked with advancing self-reliant security mechanisms—including the unified military command. Security threats have evolved, especially maritime threats and the use of modern technologies by non-state groups to target critical infrastructure.

Finally, beyond the importance of joint military initiatives for preserving regional balance, the enduring commitment of the Gulf states to mutual solidarity remains the foundation for the GCC’s stability and future development.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.