Gulf questions whether the United States can protect it: who will guard its oil wealth?

The Gulf’s alliance with the United States remains important, but it is no longer enough on its own to guarantee the region’s security, Qatar says. Majed al-Ansari, spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry and an adviser to the Qatari prime minister, called for greater self-reliance among Gulf states at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi.

His remarks come as the Gulf monarchies reconsider their security strategies after the war with Iran. The question, the article says, is not whether they will end cooperation with Washington. There are no signs of such a break. The question is how much they can continue to rely on the United States.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Aug. 20 in El Alamein that freedom of navigation must be guaranteed and that maritime routes must not become hostages to political blackmail.

Qatar is home to Al Udeid air base, the largest US military installation outside the United States. The base came under attack several times during the US-Iranian conflict, highlighting the security concerns now facing the Gulf monarchies.

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Freedom of navigation must be guaranteed, and maritime routes must not become hostages to political blackmail.