... is diversity in security policy in Europe and the Gulf. The EU has a specific relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), they have been working on a free trade agreement for some 18 years and it is still not complete. But relations to the EU ... ... under the aegis of NATO, also have a facility in Bahrain. Bahrain is also the most tolerant and open country in the region. Kuwait is another example of quite close partnership with the EU and the new delegation to Kuwait is an indication of their relationship....
Despite differences over Syria and the Iranian nuclear deal, contemporary GCC-Russian relations are arguably at an apex, both in terms of shared interests and mutual understanding
Russian and GCC commentators are well-acquainted with the Western views regarding the GCC region. However, Russian and GCC commentators are comparatively ...
... invested the highest political and economic capital have been Saudi Arabia and Qatar
[12]
; providing hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and helping fund the various moderate rebel forces in their fight against the Syrian government.
The other four GCC states have so far played more of a mediating and charitable role in helping the Syrians who have felt the brunt of this brutal conflict. Kuwait for example is currently the world’s third largest donor after the EU and US
[13]
, with a pledge to give over 500 million dollars to the Syrian people displaced within and refugees outside. Oman on the other hand, has continued its policy ...