GULF AND IRAN IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE GULF CRISIS 2017

Abstract

 Gulf Crisis in 2017 is one of the important political issues in the intra-Gulf relations since its rise as independent countries in 20th century. This article argues that the 2017 crisis has many repercussions not only on intra-Gulf countries (Gulf unity, Gulf economies...), but also implications on Gulf-Iranian relations. The article relies on descriptive statistics and used process tracing method to show how united and strong were the intra-Gulf Relations before the Popular Uprising in Middle East and North Africa in 2011. Afterwards, the Gulf Unity over many GCC and regional affairs started splitting until 2017 when three of GCC countries and Egypt cut ties and imposed an air, land and sea “blockade” on one of the Gulf countries (Qatar). The article demonstrates clearly how the crisis that was intended to limit Iranian involvement in Gulf Affairs and halt the increasing political Islam influence, especially Muslim Brotherhood in MENA region was counterproductive and ended up in strengthening Qatar-Iranian Relation in different sectors. A new era in Gulf relations have Started since then.