Book review: GCC—a fatal schism
Through a combination of adroit use of its vast gas reserves and careful diplomacy, Qatar has learned how to survive life under blockade, a new book says
A book chronicling successful attempts to achieve intra-Arab cooperation would sit comfortably on a shelf of the world’s slimmest publications. But there is one relatively successful story—or rather there was: the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In Qatar and the Gulf Crisis, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen argues that the surprise decision of Saudi Arabia and the UAE (with support from Bahrain and Egypt) to impose an economic and diplomatic blockade on Qatar in June 2017 may have dealt a fatal blow to the GCC. Three years later, the sorry state of affairs continues: three GCC states are still blackballing a fourth, while two (Kuwait and Oman) stand aside. So what is new? a cynic might ask. The GCC
Also in this section
18 April 2024
The Norwegian energy company is concentrating its efforts on specific regions and assets that meet strict cost and carbon criteria
17 April 2024
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provide opportunities after Europe turns it back, while also offering another gateway to China
16 April 2024
Commentators need to shake off the myths of the past, with rising oil prices a boon for US economy
15 April 2024
Though hampered by methane concerns, US LNG has a crucial role to play for European and Asian energy security, US economic needs and the energy transition drive