Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: A Structural Disparity Challenging Regional Identity

Riyadh - Ekhbary News Agency

Slogans of unity, such as 'Our Gulf is One,' have echoed since the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 1981. While their intensity may have waned slightly, they continue to appear in public discourse. However, these slogans, along with media headlines discussing 'Gulf policies' or 'the Gulf reaction' to crises, often appear misleading and inaccurately represent the complex realities of the region.

Defining 'Gulf States': Geography Versus Politics

From a purely geographical perspective, if the term 'Gulf States' referred to all countries bordering the Gulf, Iran would be a primary and integral part, as would Iraq, which possesses a coastal strip on the Gulf. Yet, in practice, the term has been confined to the six Arab member states of the GCC: Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. While these nations indeed border the Gulf, this geographical reality remains incomplete because the term is fundamentally more political than geographical, signifying a convergence of visions among a specific group of states to establish a regional cooperation organization.

Nevertheless, Saudi public discourse has increasingly expressed discomfort with the Kingdom being labeled a 'Gulf state.' This discomfort stems from logical reasons that extend beyond mere linguistic preference, connecting to immense structural disparities that render Saudi Arabia a unique entity within this regional bloc.

Immense Structural Disparity: Saudi Arabia Versus the Rest of the GCC

A simple comparison between Saudi Arabia and the other five combined member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council reveals significant structural differences:

Geographical Area

Saudi Arabia alone accounts for approximately 80% of the total geographical area of the GCC states, while the combined area of the other five countries does not exceed 20%. This vast disparity grants Saudi Arabia unparalleled strategic depth and natural resources within the bloc.

Population Mass

In terms of population, Saudi Arabia is home to between 20 and 21 million citizens out of approximately 28 million GCC citizens, representing nearly three-quarters of the national population within the Council. This large population size provides Saudi Arabia with demographic and social weight that enhances its regional standing.

Economic Power

Economically, Saudi Arabia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is approximately $1.1 trillion. This figure is roughly equivalent to the combined GDP of the other five countries, which ranges between $1.1 and $1.3 trillion. This immense economic power positions Saudi Arabia as a leader within the GCC, directly influencing the dynamics of economic cooperation and integration.

Saudi Arabia's Unique Geopolitical and Historical Dimensions

The disparity is not limited to quantitative indicators but extends to vital geopolitical influence and historical depth:

Geopolitical Position

Saudi Arabia is the only state within this bloc that possesses an extensive coastline on the Red Sea, stretching approximately 1,800 kilometers, in addition to its Arabian Gulf coast. This strategic location grants it unique maritime and commercial influence. It is also the only Gulf state with direct borders with Yemen (shared with Oman) and Iraq (shared with Kuwait). Furthermore, its northern extension towards the Levant via Jordan, and its maritime borders opposite Egypt and Sudan in Africa, position it as a bridge connecting three continents.

Historical and Religious Depth

Although ancient civilizations existed in some other GCC states, most remained limited in scope and disconnected from the present, resembling a past without continuous impact. In contrast, after the unification of the Hijaz with the rest of its territories in 1926, Saudi Arabia gained a vibrant and extended historical depth, by virtue of hosting Islam's holiest sites and its direct influence on over two billion Muslims worldwide. This religious and historical stature provides Saudi Arabia with a global dimension that transcends the narrow regional framework of the Gulf states.

These fundamental differences suggest that the term 'Gulf States' may be insufficient to describe the complexity and diversity within the region, especially when considering the pivotal and distinct position of Saudi Arabia, prompting a re-evaluation of prevailing notions regarding Gulf identity and unity.