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In times of stability, relations between countries may seem taken for granted, but it is crises alone that reveal the true value of partners. With the rapid developments in the region, talk about the importance of Gulf coordination has resurfaced, and the reality that experiences have repeatedly proven has emerged once again: that Gulf security cannot be fragmented, and that the stability of any one state directly reflects on the stability of the rest. If reports of intensified contacts between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates regarding regional developments are true, the important thing is not to treat them as a sudden shift, but as a natural extension of a deep-rooted strategic relationship imposed by geography, affirmed by shared destiny, and reinforced by the nature of common risks. This relationship was not founded on a passing circumstance or built on a single political file; rather, its foundations were laid by the founders of the two states, who realized from the beginning that the bonds between the two peoples, the intertwining of interests, and the unity of security are stronger than any temporary divergence of views. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, established a clear approach based on tolerance, solidarity, and unity, and believed that the strength of the Gulf lies in the cohesion of its states, and that cooperation among them is not a temporary option but a necessity to protect their peoples and preserve their achievements. Along with his fellow Gulf leaders, he was among the founders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which was a practical expression of a firm conviction that the region's states are better able to face challenges when they stand together.

Perhaps the Emirati proverb, 'No one scratches my back except my own brother (finger),' encapsulates this truth most eloquently. No matter how extensive the network of international relations and numerous the alliances, a brother remains the closest in understanding the nature of risks and the fastest to stand by his sibling in times of adversity. This does not mean isolation from the world, but rather that the Gulf house must be cohesive before seeking support from others. The escalating threats the region is witnessing today, whether toward sea lanes, ports, or vital facilities, have reaffirmed a well-known truth: that the security of any Gulf state cannot be isolated from the security of its neighbors. When the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia faces a threat targeting its ports or infrastructure, the message does not stop at its borders but affects the security of the entire Gulf. Similarly, any threat targeting the UAE or other GCC states carries the same effect. This approach has not been mere slogans; over the past decades, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have proven that differences on some files did not prevent continued coordination on issues concerning Gulf security and stability. Strategic relations are not measured by the absence of differences, but by the ability of states to manage their divergences in a way that preserves the constants that unite them and prevents harm to the region's higher interests. Therefore, Gulf security rests not only on military power balances but on political trust among its states. Armies can protect borders, but coordination among leaderships is what protects the entire system and gives it the ability to face challenges with a unified decision and a shared vision.

Thus, what matters today is not who needed whom. What matters is the security of the region, the protection of its states and peoples, and closing any window through which parties seeking to destabilize the Gulf could enter. What unites the UAE and Saudi Arabia, along with the GCC states, is greater than any temporary divergence. It is time to recall the wisdom of the founders, not only by preserving the spirit of brotherhood but by building permanent coordination mechanisms on security and strategic issues, so that cooperation becomes an institutional approach not limited to times of crisis. Gulf security is not the responsibility of a single state but a collective responsibility, and unity of ranks is not an emotional slogan but the first line of defense for the region's stability and the future of its peoples.

Source: Al-Ittihad

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