Gulf Media and Unity of Front!

There was no way to avoid revisiting what has been written, or what had been left unspoken. I had no choice but to reopen the file that has been kept under wraps due to regional tensions, the heightened regional political climate, and the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc—a cause we have long championed, for which we have traveled considerable distances in defense of its principles and manifestations, and in bearing the responsibilities and repercussions of its early signs. The unity of the GCC bloc, which we have often discussed with a heart full of faith in the idea, commitment to the belief, and vocal advocacy to transform dreams into realities and aspirations into visions and objectives.

The ministers of information from the GCC member states, in their recent meeting in Manama, focused all their efforts and concerns on a channel that has not yet been tainted by stagnant waters: the unity and cohesion of the Gulf bloc, standing together to support national solidarity and reinforce unity, and moving retrospectively to re-engage with challenges, restoring the spirit of the authentic historical, logistical, and geopolitical commonalities among the countries of the region.

The challenges we face cannot be left without preparedness, without adequate arrangements, or without intensive cooperation to link the national security of each Gulf state to the regional security of these countries. It is neither acceptable nor appropriate for any party to act outside the collective framework, nor for any party to move on diplomatic or even security levels without all Gulf states sharing a unified awareness, opinion, and steadfast resolve. It is unacceptable to see our country facing unprecedented economic crises, all external in origin, while any party remains a bystander to the phenomenon, neutral in the face of the dilemma, or indifferent to its blatant challenges.

We know that the foundations our country possesses, along with its economic capacities and natural resources, have become the target of every state pursuing projects beyond its geographical borders. Everyone knows that without collective Gulf action on any issue or challenge, we risk being hunted like weak birds, “one after another,” if we do not pay attention. The unity of regional Gulf awareness has become, at this moment and more than ever, of paramount importance. It has become a necessity on par with the imperatives of confronting any military, economic, or political aggression. Moreover, unifying the foundations of collective Gulf awareness regarding the importance of defending our capacities, borders, airspace, and national projects has itself become an inevitable necessity. On this basis, we can build a cultural, educational, and scientific barrier against all informational breaches that could harm the distinctive Gulf mindset, especially among today’s youth, who are fully open to artificial intelligence and the free flow of information without barriers, limits, or taboos.

From this perspective, it was imperative for the ministers of information to act, and for their national and regional systems to become more aware of the danger of the “burnout” challenge, through which elements that distort, deform, and undermine the constants that shape and stabilize national identity may seep in. This occurs amid a sweeping wave of optical and cultural deception that launches sophisticated attacks on our minds, whether through social media platforms, which have no limits, or through satellite channels and websites that must be subject to heightened scrutiny at this critical time. We are living in a state of neither peace nor war, the extent of which only God knows.

Gulf unity of ranks means not only sharing arms or defending our capabilities against aggression involving missiles and drones, but also against “soft” aggression through films that deliberately target our morals, as well as cyber intrusions and electronic warfare aimed at undermining our customs and traditions and attempting to distort or corrupt our national identity and our authentic Arab-Islamic constants. Gulf unity of ranks is a warning bell and a suitable launchpad for everything that supports this unity and defends its foundational pillars and sound principles. This movement came at the right time, albeit belatedly—“better late than never.”