Gulf countries must reassess their one trillion dollar defense systems, as the war between the US and Iran has led to significant damage to the economies of these countries. According to a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the value of American bases in the region has been severely questioned in light of Iranian attacks.
Severe Damage to Energy Infrastructure
In the weeks leading up to the ceasefire on April 8, 12 countries in the region, especially in the Gulf, faced 4,670 Iranian attack drones and over 1,400 ballistic missiles. Nearly half of these attacks were directed at the United Arab Emirates. Although the majority of these attacks were thwarted, existing estimates suggest that damages to energy infrastructure could reach up to 58 billion dollars.
Read more: Putin is ready to talk with Macron and Mertes
Military Challenges and Overreliance on the US
This report also points to an uncomfortable truth for Gulf countries: the trillions of dollars spent on American weaponry have not resulted in adequate military support during critical times. The militaries of these countries are not properly prepared for the new type of aerial warfare they are facing.
According to the report, Gulf countries are heavily reliant on air defense and missile systems supplied by the US, and this dependency brings issues such as a lack of mine-clearing capabilities and limited retaliatory options. The high costs of these systems have also prevented Gulf countries from effectively countering low-cost drones and missiles.
Surveys indicate that public opinion regarding the US in the Gulf has shifted from a security provider to a strategic threat. If American forces reduce their presence in the region, Iran will use this as a strategic victory and a confirmation of its resilience, challenging the Gulf countries.
This report comes at a time when Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator and member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has pointed to the necessity of reevaluating the status of American bases in the Gulf. He emphasized that given the existing threats, merely having military bases in the region is not sufficient, and ways to mitigate risks must be sought.
Read more: Seoul will respond decisively to North Korean border violations · JD Vance: The war against Iran will not turn into an endless conflict
