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The E.U. of the Middle East

By Rebecca Carter

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Back in 1981, a cluster of oil-rich countries in the Middle East realized something; there existed a number of challenges, both economic and social, common to most countries in that part of the world. In addition, war between Iran and Iraq had destabilized the region and made surrounding countries fear that they may be dragged into the fighting. Similar to the European countries that would seek strength in numbers by joining together as a union two decades later, these countries of the Middle East realized that they needed to stick together. So in May of that year, six nations – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates – joined forces and created the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The GCC Logo

Together, the six nations of the GCC represent 45% of the world's oil reserves -- a fact that should single-handedly assure the Council a certain amount of attention from developed countries.  While it’s difficult to ascertain the precise amount of power wielded by the GCC, it’s fair to say that the organization offers the region a boost in both bargaining power and stability. And yet, the GCC is seldom discussed in the American media.  A (quite unscientific) Google search reveals a number of short descriptions of the GCC on government and educational websites, but virtually no newspaper or magazine articles that even mention the organization, much less cover it extensively.  It's possible that many Westerners presume that organized (and legal/humane) activity simply does not occur in the Middle East, and therefore afford the Council little acknowledgement.  More likely, though, is that the West -- and America especially -- doesn't know much about the GCC because it doesn't know much about anything outside of itself.  Either way, a show of solidarity in the Middle East such as the one provided by GCC can only help the regions’ image in the eyes of its more developed peers.

But then, of course, the GCC isn’t necessarily a benevolent organization. In the November issue of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Tayler calls it “the league of oil-rich monarchies and emirates that are responsible for some of the most closed regimes in the Middle East.” And it would surely come as no surprise to learn that the member nations of the GCC use their organization, at least in part, to shield their more questionable actions from the rest of the world.  But the lack of media coverage afforded to the Council here in America makes it difficult to assess the true nature of the GCC with regard to human rights.

Regardless, i t would also seem that such an organization is necessary for the well-being of these nations. There is a huge oil industry to be dealt with, obviously.  But this is not the only concern.  According to E.U. statistics, only two of the six member nations, Kuwait and Qatar, are capable of sustaining themselves solely from oil and gas income. The other four nations, then, are left with no choice but to develop other industries (and even Kuwait and Qatar would surely benefit from economic diversification).  In addition, like the E.U., the GCC plans to institute a single currency throughout its member nations by the end of the decade. 

Several factors have led to the Council's relatively weak status in the West.   Infighting, much of which is caused by resistance by the smaller member countries to Saudi Arabia’s dominant position, has kept the GCC's power somewhat at bay.  Saudi Arabia is much larger both geographically and in population.  More importantly, it controls more oil reserves than the other member nations put together.  The smaller countries, then, are continually wary of allowing the Saudis to wield too much control, and have been known to reject measures simply because it was Saudi Arabia that proposed them.  In addition, the Council's members have kept their military forces almost completely independent of the GCC, meaning that it cannot use force, only negotiation -- there is no sense of threat behind any of its words.  Finally, with most of the GCC countries also members of OPEC, it is possible that their attention hass been diverted to the processes of that organization.

The GCC seems to be concentrating on turning itself into a real economic force. This is certainly possible. However, in order to be successful in such an endeavor, the Council must ensure that it does not become a cover for human rights abuses and other atrocities within its member countries.  In fact, it will have to focus on just the opposite, promoting cultural well-being as much as economic prosperity.

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© 2004 Me Three