Qatar University Importance of Having an Agreement Between GCC Countries Paper
The Importance of Having an Agreement Between GCC Countries, Iraq and Iran to Secure Oil Tankers in the Stair of Hormuz
Table of Contents
Significance of this Research. 6
Abstract
GCC countries have been trying to come up with measures to address the insecurity problem in the Gulf region. This problem has adversely affected the production and supply of oil from this region. Ultimately, it has negatively affected the economy of GCC countries. Historically, Iran and Iraq have been absent in all these security negotiations. The failure of the security measures adopted by these countries can be linked to this exclusion of Iraq and Iran from security negotiations. Hence, a paradigmatic shift should happen in regard to the approaches used to improve security in this region. Fundamentally, this can be done by ensuring the participation of Iran and Iraq in regional security arrangements. The two countries play an integral role in the region’s security.
Key Words: Security, Stability, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Agreement, Security negotiations, Nuclear Proliferation and Transit.
List of Abbreviations
GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council
The Importance of Having an Agreement Between GCC Countries, Iraq and Iran to Secure Oil Tankers in the Stair of Hormuz
Introduction
Insecurity has become a great problem in the Gulf region. This adversely affects the transportation of oil from Gulf Countries through the Strait of Hormuz to the Open sea, where oil can then be distributed to other countries in the world. According to EIA, 33% of the of the world’s oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz (Saikal 2019, p. 13). Therefore, when the Persian Gulf is facing insecurity, it becomes difficult for the oil tankers to move across the strait smoothly. Unfortunately, the Stair of Hormuz is the only route to the Arabian sea. So, when there is insecurity in this region, significant delays in oil supply happen. This results in higher energy shipping costs and, ultimately, higher energy prices. To prevent this, the GCC countries have been developing various measures to secure oil tankers in the Stair of Hormuz. Nonetheless, none of the measures have worked. This is mainly because the conversation on how to address the security in the region excludes countries that are not members of GCC. Indeed, this doesn’t seem right because countries like Iran and Iraq are major players in the security of the region. Geographically, the Stair of Hormuz lies somewhere between Oman and Iran. Moreover, the two countries pose significant security threats to this region. In this regard, for security to prevail in the Persian Gulf region, an agreement between GCC countries, Iraq, and Iran needs to be made.
Research Objectives
The main objective of this research is to investigate the impact of Iranian participation to form an agreement with GCC countries on the security of the Hormuz Stair.
Research Question
This research will be guided by the question: What is the impact of the Iranian engagement with the GCC countries and Iraq to create a shared agreement on the security of the Gulf region? Additionally, the research will address the following sub-questions.
- What is the security in the Gulf from Sadie Arabia and other Arab countries respective?
- What is the security in the Gulf from Iran respective?
- What they say, and why is it not possible to bring them together?
Hypothesis
This research hypothesizes that security in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz cannot be achieved without the participation of all countries in this region, both the GCC members and non-members. Specifically, Iran and Iraq must be involved in finding a solution to insecurity in this region. These two countries play an integral role in threatening the stability of the Gulf region. Thus, a regional security planning in the Persian Gulf cannot be practical without the input of these two countries.
Significance of this Research
The significance of this study is to find how the Gulf region can be made secure. Security of this region would mean security of the Strait of Hormuz. Certainly, this would ensure smooth transit of oil from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian sea and then to the world. This would address the oil deficits experienced in the world from time to time that culminates in rising oil prices. Certainly, this research would be significant to all policymakers in the Gulf region. It can inform their decisions of finding a lasting solution for the insecurity in this region.
Research Methodology
To achieve the research objectives of this study, a case study method will be used. This involves collecting data about the issue being studied by studying the past and present reports about an issue. In essence, the issue of security in the Gulf region is a complex one. In this regard, the case study is the most appropriate method of getting to know the security trend in this region and how it has been affecting the transportation of oil from GCC countries. Specifically, an exploratory case study will be used. This will help to reveal both qualitative and quantitative data concerning the situation being studied. In line with this, the researcher will review journal entries, reports, and news articles on the security situation in the region and the attempt that the GCC countries have taken in the past in response to it. The data obtained will show whether the participation of Iraq and Iran in the security arrangement region is necessary. Typically, a case study involves studying a social unit. In this regard, the Persian Gulf will be the social unit to study.
Literature Review
Considerable tension has always existed among the Arab countries. This tension has always affected the production and supply of oil from the Gulf region (Sick and Potter 2002, p. 60). The region is the world’s heartbeat of oil. So, whenever there is tension, and oil supply from this region drops, the entire world is affected. In essence, the tension among these countries emanates from many factors. The first factor is that all these countries are from the same geographical location. In this regard, these countries have similar economic interests. Their competition for these interests culminates in tension (National Public Radio, Inc 2020, p. 1). Politically, these countries have different interests. This variance of interests contributes to conflict in this region. Secondly, the tension among these countries can be attributed to cultural and religious differences (Kamrava 2011, p. 14). The Islamic religion is the main religion in the Arabs world. However, not all countries in this region are Islamic. Equally, some countries in this region have Islamic culture, while others have a non-Islamic culture. Thirdly, these countries have different political regimes (Ghattas 2020, p. 100). In connection with this, these countries have distinct foreign policies. This will affect the way these countries interact with one another.
Given the differences between the countries in the Gulf region, an agreement that involves all countries in this region is essential. This should bring together both the GCC and non-GCC countries (Shayan 2017, p. 54). The agreement will help to establish the common grounds between these states. In light of this, the differences that exist between these states will not prevail over the similarities. Subsequently, the member states will be able to come up with effective solutions for the insecurity in this region. They will agree to comply with uniform security measures that they will come up with. Over the last few decades, Iran has been developing a nuclear program (Saikal 2019, p. 3). This has increased security threats in the region. It has also increased enmity with Iraq. In essence, Iraq and Iran have been pursuing supremacy battles (Taremi 2003, p. 384). The agreement between GCC countries, Iraq, and Iran, will help to end these supremacy battles. Consequently, the tension in the region will come to an end.
Conclusion
For many decades, security has been a priority concern among GCC countries. They have been deliberating on how they can improve security in the Persian Gulf so that they can maintain their oil productivity. Unfortunately, their deliberations have not born significant results or fruits. The oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked several. This has affected the transportation of oil from the region. Certainly, this affects the economy of GCC countries negatively. This research has established that Iran and Iraq are the main security threats to this region. Militarily, these countries are stronger than most of the GCC countries. In this regard, an aggressive approach towards them will not work. Instead, a diplomatic method like engaging them in regional security matters is what will help to improve security in this region.
Ghattas, K., 2020. Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Rivalry That Unravelled the Middle East, Headline.
Kamrava, M., 2011. International Politics of the Persian Gulf, Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press.
National Public Radio, Inc., 2020. Securing Ships In The Strait Of Hormuz [Online] (Updated 12 January 2020) Available at: < https://www.npr.org/2020/01/12/795661026/securing-ships-in-the-strait-of-hormuz> [Accessed 10 March 2020].
Saikal, A., 2019. Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Princeton University Press
Shayan, F., 2017. Security in the Persian Gulf Region, Palgrave Macmillan UK.
Sick, G. & Potter, G., 2002. Security in the Persian Gulf: Origins, Obstacles, and the Search for Consensus, Palgrave Macmillan US.
Taremi, K., 2003. Iranian Perspectives on Security in the Persian Gulf. Iranian Studies, 36(3), pp. 381-391.
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