Why should they be “expelled”? Those US bases in the smaller GCC states (there are no US bases in KSA and there have not been any for more than 20 years) originated from geopolitical events following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the subsequent First Gulf War.
Afterwards, the US military presence remained because the GCC is one of the world’s most strategic regions, located at the crossroads of global trade and aviation routes. It is also one of the richest regions in terms of natural resources. The foremost global power, the United States, naturally wanted a strategic footprint in the region.
Another reason is that the rulers of the smaller GCC states have historically feared potential annexation by larger neighbors such as KSA.
These small GCC states have historically been part of various civilizations, empires, caliphates, kingdoms, sultanates, imamates, emirates, and sheikhdoms founded or ruled by dynasties originating from what is now modern-day KSA. Even the House of Saud historically controlled parts of the region during the First, Second, and Third Saudi states.
These are small countries with limited native populations, which makes them inherently vulnerable. They are among the wealthiest states in the world but are located in one of the most geopolitically turbulent regions. As a result, they rely either on regional protection or external security guarantees. Since they are politically, economically, and militarily aligned with the West—particularly the United States—the US has become their primary security partner.
It seems pretty viable to me. The small GCC states are still standing with minimal damage, while Iran and the Iranian regime have been heavily bombed, suffering immense material and military damage as well as thousands upon thousands (if not tens of thousands) of casualties, both military and civilian.
In fact, I predict that U.S. presence is only going to increase.
Ideally from the perspective of KSA they would leave which would allow KSA to potentially annex those lands again but this is unlikely to occur.
Agree with many of his points. A good share.
Life completely normal in KSA as throughout all of this war.
By the way, KSA and the GCC have everything to lose, as they include some of the world’s richest states. Iran, on the other hand, is a heavily sanctioned country with an economy smaller than that of the UAE, a country of only about 10 million people. It is essentially a comparison of apples and oranges.
Even so, tiny Qatar reportedly shot down two Iranian Su-24 aircraft, and the UAE reportedly targeted sites within Iran. The firepower of the smaller GCC states alone is sufficient to cause significant damage to Iran.
There is therefore no real “achievement” in targeting largely empty US bases and some civilian areas in small GCC states.
Also it is obvious that KSA and GCC played an active role in weakening the Iranian regime. With little consequences in return. I have no problem with that at all personally. We should do it again if ever needed. It is an enemy regime that has caused a lot of problems in the Arab world and that has actively aided the enemies of KSA. Therefore it is karma that KSA has now helped facilitated that war on them. Chickens coming home to roost.
However that is all - KSA/GCC will not join any war that is not ours. Despite Lindsey Graham and others crying about the need for that.
Another reminder - the GCC has sovereign wealth funds worth close to 7 TRILLION USD. The PIF in KSA alone grew by almost 250 billion USD within 12 months. Whatever material damage, very little, in KSA practically zero, is a tiny drop in the ocean. Not even worth commenting on. Now compare that with the damage in Iran.
