Future of Gulf Security in a Region of Dramatic Change: Mutual Equities and Enduring Relationships

摘要

These conference proceedings document the discussions that occurred during a conference titled 'Gulf Security in a Region of Dramatic Change: Mutual Equities and Enduring Partnerships,' which was held on June 20, 2011, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference was jointly sponsored by U.S. Central Command and the Army Directed Studies Office. Given the dynamic and fluid nature of events throughout the Arab world in the preceding six months, the conference focused on the security implications of a rapidly changing Gulf region and their potential effects on U.S. Central Command. The panel topics were the Arab Spring, the prospects for and implications of a more unified Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), how Gulf militaries and their relationships with the United States may be affected by political changes, and how present-day events may influence or alter the threat posed by Iran. These conference proceedings present summaries of the panel presentations and of their respective question-and-answer sessions. One hundred participants attended the conference, including senior government officials, academics, military officers, and members of the media. There were two opening speakers, four panel presentations, and a luncheon presentation. Each panel consisted of one moderator and three experts on Gulf affairs. General James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, provided opening remarks. Puneet Talwar, senior director for Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf states at the White House National Security Council, served as the keynote speaker.