Contributor
Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco is a researcher who focuses on the security affairs of the Gulf region. He is also an analyst at Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based geopolitical risk consultancy. He tweets at: @mazz_Leonardo.
The acknowledgment of the growing interdependency between the EU and GCC and the rising diplomatic role of the Gulf Arab countries in global affairs have prompted Brussels to step up political engagement with the GCC.
As the Gaza war and campaign of Houthi attacks targeting commercial shipping have prompted the United States to strengthen its military footprint regionally, the U.S.-led Task Force 154 aims to enhance interforce interoperability.
While underscoring the EU’s ambitions to expand its maritime security goals in the region, Operation Aspides faces operational and political challenges.
Aerial threats and economic diversification plans have compelled Riyadh to expand domestic defense production and diversify its procurement sources.
While a regional naval alliance remains distant, de-escalation has created an opening for maritime security cooperation.
As the last of several measures taken by Brussels to shore up EU-GCC relations, the appointment of a special representative for the Gulf is intended to enhance the EU’s regional presence and create a conducive atmosphere for engagement.
The UAE has sought to enhance its naval might and secure its fast-expanding networks of ports and logistics infrastructure to match its evolving strategic and commercial ambitions, in the Middle East and beyond.
Despite the growing effectiveness of maritime operations along the route from Iran to Yemen, drug and weapons trafficking remains a serious threat with consequences for regional security.
With the new Taliban regime in Kabul, Saudi leaders are likely to remain cautious and keep a close eye on power dynamics. But they are likely to keep some channels of communication open with the Taliban to promote stability in the region.
With more than 1,400 miles of coast overlooking two of the busiest global shipping routes and a unique geographic position connecting three continents, Saudi Arabia has placed logistics at the core of its economic diversification agenda.
The same conditions that have enabled steady economic growth in the UAE have also provided legislative loopholes and opportunities for criminal and illicit activities; but ensuring an attractive business environment is a fundamental priority to boost the country’s economic recovery.
