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Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of US-Iran war, says report

Gulf states are being urged to reconsider their trillion-dollar defence strategies following the US-Iran war, which has exposed vulnerabilities in their military capabilities and raised questions about the value of US military presence in the region. The region's security order is unravelling, and there are concerns about who will secure the Red Sea. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has questioned the overreliance on American support and the overdependence on expensive, high-end systems.

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  • ✓ Gulf states have spent over a trillion dollars on defence in recent years.
  • ✓ The US-Iran war has exposed vulnerabilities in Gulf states' military capabilities.
  • ✓ Gulf states' defence strategies have been shaped by their reliance on US military presence and expensive military systems.
  • ✓ The region's security order is unravelling, and there are concerns about who will secure the Red Sea.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 12 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

A recent report by the IISS has highlighted the need for Gulf states to rethink their defence strategies, citing significant vulnerabilities in regional military capabilities and questioning the continued value of US military presence.

Live updates

  1. Gulf states urged to rethink trillion-dollar defence amid US-Iran war

    Gulf states are being urged to reconsider their trillion-dollar defence strategies following the US-Iran war, which has exposed vulnerabilities in their military capabilities and raised questions about the value of US military presence in the region. The region's security order is unravelling, and there are concerns about who will secure the Red Sea. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has questioned the overreliance on American support and the overdependence on expensive, high-end systems.

    Why it matters

    The US-Iran war has had a significant impact on the economies of Gulf states and has raised concerns about their ability to defend themselves. The region's security order is complex, with various countries vying for influence. The US has traditionally played a significant role in maintaining security in the region, but its continued involvement is uncertain. The Gulf states' defence strategies have been shaped by their reliance on US military presence and expensive military systems.

    What is confirmed

    • Gulf states have spent over a trillion dollars on defence in recent years.
    • The US-Iran war has exposed vulnerabilities in Gulf states' military capabilities.
    • Gulf states' defence strategies have been shaped by their reliance on US military presence and expensive military systems.
    • The region's security order is unravelling, and there are concerns about who will secure the Red Sea.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The US military presence in the region may be reduced or withdrawn.

    What to watch next

    • Decisions by Gulf states on defence strategy reviews
    • US military presence and involvement in the region
    • Iran's future actions and their impact on regional security
    Sources used for this update (10)
    1. Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research — The Struggle for a New West Asian Order: The Forty-Fourth Newsletter (2026)
    2. The Guardian — Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of US-Iran war, says report
    3. Middle East Council on Global Affairs — In Search of a New Order: Arab Options and Gulf Security
    4. Daily Sabah — Gulf’s unravelling security order: Who will secure Red Sea? | Daily Sabah
    5. الحرة — Now Victory Depends on Who Can Fight the Longest
    6. China Daily — Gulf security set for rethink
    7. www.theguardian.com — Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of ...
    8. rocketnews.com — Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of ...
    9. www.europesays.com — Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of ...
    10. web.matrixnews.in — Study urges Gulf states to rethink trillion-dollar defences ...
    confidence 85%
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