The Iran Factor in US-Gulf Cooperation Council Relations

Abstract

Being strategic partners as of 1980s against the common threat of Iran, the USA and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have diverged in time as regards how to treat this country. The GCC has sought to protect their interests and cultivated dialogue with Iran, while trying not to break relations with Washington. The Council insists on reintegrating Iran into the system through diplomatic means. However, the ability of the GCC to influence Iranian and USA policies are limited. At a time when multidimensional security issues render the GCC dependent upon USA defence capabilities, the USA, GCC and Iran face difficulties in reaching a common ground.

Keywords

United States of America, Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, Persian Gulf.

Citation

Pakin Albayrakoğlu, Esra, “The Iran Factor in US-Gulf Cooperation Council Relations”, International Relations, Volume 8, Issue 31 (Fall 2011), pp. 95-116.

Affiliations

• Esra PAKİN ALBAYRAKOĞLU, Assistant Professor, Namik Kemal University, Department of International Relations