The Middle East conflict has swiftly exposed economic vulnerability in the region
- Written by Emilie Rutledge, Senior Lecturer in Economics, The Open University
At the end of 2025, the Gulf states received high praise for their economic resilience. According to reports by the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, the region was stable, modern and reliable.
Now the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates –...







