Al-Khalij Al-Sabeen: Is it time to expand the Gulf system to include Jordan?

In recent decades, the international system has undergone an accelerated shift toward major regional blocs, as the ability to achieve influence, stability, and prosperity has become linked to the extent to which states succeed in building institutional frameworks for economic, political, and security integration. In this context, a strategic question worthy of discussion emerges: Could the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) system evolve in the future toward a broader model that includes the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan? This idea does not stem solely from geographical considerations, but rather from an analysis of a range of political, security, and economic ties that have linked Jordan and the Gulf states over decades. Jordan has proven itself a reliable partner on numerous regional files, possessing institutional stability and security, military, and administrative expertise that have made it a key partner in the Arab security architecture. From a strategic perspective, enhancing integration between the Gulf states and Jordan could open new horizons for cooperation in investment, energy, food security, education, innovation, infrastructure, and the linking of Arab markets, thereby serving the interests of all parties and bolstering regional stability. Moreover, Jordan serves as a geographical and political bridge between the Gulf and the Levant, granting it special significance in any future vision for Arab integration, particularly amid rapid international and regional changes. Saudi Arabia, with its political and economic weight and its leadership position within the GCC, is well-placed to spearhead a strategic discussion on the prospects for developing joint Gulf cooperation, preserving the Council’s cohesion and enhancing its capacity to confront future challenges, while exploring new forms of cooperation or integration with Arab partners who share common strategic interests. Any integration initiative should not be viewed as directed against any party, but rather as an investment in stability, development, and mutual interdependence—principles that have become foundational to the success of regional experiences worldwide. The future is not shaped by reactions, but by long-term visions. If the 21st century is the century of major blocs, the Arab world possesses the human, economic, and geographical assets necessary to develop deeper models of cooperation aimed at enhancing stability, prosperity, and the realization of shared interests. The concept of a “Seventh Gulf” is not necessarily an immediate blueprint, but can be regarded as a conceptual framework that encourages thinking about the future of Arab integration and exploring ways to deepen the partnership between Jordan and the Gulf states to serve the peoples of the region and enhance their security and stability in the coming decades.