Gulf Cooperation Council - The Geopolitical Desk

Breaking bonds: Behind the Algeria-Emirati rupture

The long standing relations between Algiers and Abu Dhabi established by the Bouteflika government have now officially collapsed, as both capitals move in two different geopolitical directions.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 16 Sep 2026

Breaking bonds: Behind the Algeria-Emirati rupture

The Gulf's Washington delusion

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 5 Sep 2026

The Middle East’s new oil networks

The U.S.-Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have upended traditional energy transport networks, with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq now looking to change how their oil is moved.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 14 Aug 2026

Geopolitical chokepoints and Gulf food security: the fertiliser paradox

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacts more than just oil. The Gulf is struggling to export fertiliser and import food, creating a worsening cycle.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 27 Mar 2026

Geopolitical chokepoints and Gulf food security: the fertiliser paradox

Can the Saudi–UAE rift avoid becoming a bloc conflict?

A new rivalry between these two Middle Eastern states raises questions on if it will expand to the wider region.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 26 Jan 2026

Can the Saudi–UAE rift avoid becoming a bloc conflict?

Why Gulf states need a unified foreign policy approach

Without a common foreign policy goal, the Gulf states have engaged in trivial rivalries that have carried serious security and human costs for the region. It's time to rethink that approach.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 6 Jan 2026

Why Gulf states need a unified foreign policy approach

Is Ahmed al-Sharaa redefining the geopolitical chessboard?

The now-iconic Washington Post photograph of Ahmed al-Sharaa calmly contemplating a chessboard during his visit to Washington reflects the strategy that has defined his rise: a blend of calculation, patience and a willingness to play a long game with pieces others assumed were unwinnable.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 5 Dec 2025

Is Ahmed al-Sharaa redefining the geopolitical chessboard?

Is this the start of a new Saudi–US strategic order?

Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington signalled that U.S.-Saudi relations are entering a more structured and future-oriented phase. The partnership is increasingly anchored in shared tech priorities, deeper defence integration and large-scale capital alignment with U.S. strategic industries.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 24 Nov 2025

Is this the start of a new Saudi–US strategic order?

The race for AI leadership in the Gulf

The race between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will define who sets the Gulf’s digital standards and who becomes its technological gatekeeper. Abu Dhabi's position is already well established, but Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions are fast catching up, setting the stage for a Gulf-wide AI rivalry.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 14 Nov 2025

Turkey's evolving agenda in the Gulf

Turkish President Erdoğan’s latest economic and security outreach to the Gulf could easily benefit both sides, but Turkey's ambition and the Gulf's wariness of Ankara's influence could limit their cooperation.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 1 Nov 2025

Gulf states and the critical minerals race

Critical minerals, from lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, have become the backbone of modern industries, powering everything from defense systems to electric vehicle batteries. In today’s fractured geopolitical landscape, they represent more than resources: they are leverage.

By The Geopolitical Desk

/ 11 Oct 2025