Persian Gulf's Tiniest Country: What's The Smallest By Area?

The Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia, bordered by eight countries. The gulf is approximately 1000 km long and 200 to 300 km wide, with an area of about 250,000 square kilometres. The smallest country on the Persian Gulf by area is Bahrain, which is a longtime ally pivotal to maintaining security in the region.

Bahrain: a longtime US ally

Bahrain is the smallest country by area in the Persian Gulf, a mediterranean sea in West Asia. It is a longtime ally of the US and pivotal to maintaining security in the region.

Bahrain is an island nation and Arab state in the Persian Gulf. It is home to the country's primary cargo port, Mina Salman, and its capital, Manama, which is a hub for large financial structures. Bahrain has the first "post-oil" economy in the Persian Gulf, with its economy focused on the banking and tourism sectors. The country has a high Human Development Index and is recognised as a high-income economy by the World Bank.

Bahrain has been a pivotal US ally in the Persian Gulf region due to its cooperation with US strategy and operations in the area. The country is also significant to the US because of its proximity to Iran and Iraq. Bahrain has hosted major US military facilities and has been crucial to US efforts to secure the region.

The US has a strong presence in the Persian Gulf, with an office in Doha, Qatar, focusing on domestic and regional issues and assisting US and allied military forces. The Persian Gulf region is of strategic geopolitical importance, containing an estimated 50% of the world's oil reserves.

Kuwait: cooperates with US strategy

Kuwait is the smallest country by area on the Persian Gulf. It has enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation with the United States since establishing diplomatic relations upon gaining independence in 1961.

Security Cooperation

The United States and Kuwait have a shared interest in a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East. Kuwait is a vital partner in the fight against ISIS and other regional security issues. Kuwait has provided basing and overflight privileges that facilitate US and Global Coalition partners' operations against ISIS and al-Qa'ida. The two countries have a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in place, with approximately 13,500 US forces based in Kuwait. The US has also provided military and defense technical support to Kuwait, including through foreign military sales and commercial sales.

Economic Relations

The United States is one of Kuwait's largest suppliers of goods and services, and Kuwait is one of the largest markets for US goods in the Middle East. The two countries signed a trade and investment framework agreement in 2004, providing a forum to address mutual trade concerns and economic reforms. Kuwait is also a significant destination for US students, with the third-largest number of students from the Middle East/North Africa region attending US universities and colleges.

Diplomatic Relations

The United States and Kuwait share a commitment to democratic traditions and institutional relationships. The US supported Kuwait's sovereignty and security after Iraq's invasion in 1990, leading a multinational coalition to liberate the country in 1991. Kuwait has also played a role in US diplomatic efforts to build greater cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Counterterrorism Efforts

Kuwait is an important partner in US counterterrorism efforts, including blocking the financing of terrorist groups. The US Interagency Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) Task Force has provided training to Kuwaiti security officials to recognize and address threats to aviation security. The two countries also collaborate through the Joint and Combined Exchange Training program, working with local counterterrorism units to enhance Kuwait's counterterrorism capacity.

Qatar: hosts major US military facilities

Qatar is a small peninsular country in the Persian Gulf, which emerged as a partner of the United States in the mid-1990s. Today, Qatar serves as host to major US military facilities.

The country is located west of Saudi Arabia, northeast of the United Arab Emirates, southeast of Kuwait and Iraq, and southwest of Iran. It is ruled by the Al-Thani family and has been since 1916, when an agreement was signed with the British Empire, establishing Qatar as a British protectorate. Qatar gained independence in 1971.

The country is an emirate, which means it is ruled by an emir, the head of a royal family. Its legal system is a mix of sharia (Islamic law) and civil code. Qatar is an absolute monarchy and has never held elections since its establishment as a nation in 1971.

Qatar is a significant US partner in Gulf security, and the alliance has deepened in recent years to address multiple regional threats. The country is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a prominent regional political union.

The US has an office in Doha, the capital of Qatar, which focuses on domestic and regional issues, as well as assisting US and allied military forces in the region.

The Persian Gulf region, which includes Qatar, is of strategic geopolitical importance, containing an estimated 50% of the world's oil reserves.

United Arab Emirates: a US partner in Gulf security

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small country on the Persian Gulf, which has a close and friendly relationship with the US. The two countries have strong government-to-government ties, including security cooperation, and the US has described the UAE as its best counter-terrorism ally in the Gulf region.

A History of Partnership

The US was the third country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the UAE and has had an ambassador resident in the country since 1974. The UAE has fought alongside the US in Afghanistan and Iraq and is an active participant in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and in operations against al-Qa’ida. The UAE is also a co-lead of the Global Coalition’s Communications Working Group, providing strong support for counter-messaging and countering violent extremism.

The UAE hosts the Gulf Air Warfare Center at Al Dhafra Air Base, where approximately 3,500 US personnel are based and which provides air and missile defense training for around 2,000 participants from 10 nations annually. UAE ports also provide critical logistical support for the US Navy and collectively host more US Navy ships than any port outside the United States.

Defense Agreements

The US and the UAE have a number of defense cooperation agreements, including the 1987 General Security of Military Information Agreement, a 2006 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, and a 2019 Defense Cooperation Agreement. The US has $29.3 billion in active government-to-government arms sales cases with the UAE, which has enhanced the UAE’s military capabilities to the point that they have become a net security provider for the region.

Areas of Tension

However, the relationship between the two countries has faced some tension in recent years, particularly due to the UAE's increasing economic and political ties with China. In 2021, the US raised concerns about the potential security implications of the UAE using Chinese technology, such as Huawei’s 5G telecommunications network. The US intelligence also found that China was secretly building a military facility at a port in Abu Dhabi, and despite the construction being halted following American intervention, US officials warned that extensive Chinese presence in the UAE could endanger the planned $23 billion deal of F-35 fighter jets and other advanced munitions.

In addition, the UAE's policies in the Middle East have been criticised for destabilising the region and violating international laws. There have also been allegations of the UAE repeatedly attempting to illegally interfere in US domestic politics, as well as violating US sanctions against Russia and Iran.

Future of the Partnership

Despite these challenges, the UAE remains a vital US partner on regional security issues, and the two countries continue to work together to increase cooperation on border security, maritime security, military preparedness, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. The UAE has been described as a Major Defense Partner by US President Joe Biden, and the two countries have a shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the Gulf region.

Oman: has an elected advisory council

The smallest country on the Persian Gulf by area is Bahrain, an island nation. The Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. It is an extension of the Indian Ocean, located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.

Oman, which also has a coastline on the Persian Gulf, has an elected advisory council called the Shura Council. The council was established in 1991 and has 85 members. It is considered to be the most advanced in the Gulf region, apart from Kuwait's. The Shura Council is the lower house of parliament in Oman and is part of the Council of Oman, which is the country's main parliament. The Council of Oman is bicameral and is made up of the State Council (the upper house) and the Shura Council.

The Shura Council's role is to review legislation drafted by government ministries and pass them on to the State Council with recommendations. It can also submit proposals for social and economic legislation, provide feedback on government initiatives, propose development projects, and participate in raising citizens' awareness of the country's development goals. The council can also discuss matters of violations and breaches of law with any minister upon a signed request from at least 15 of its members.

The Shura Council's powers have been expanded over the years. In 2011, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said granted the Council of Oman additional powers, including legislative and auditing powers. The council now has the right to propose bills, refer them to the government for study, and then return them to the council. The council can also review draft laws before their dissemination, except for those submitted to the Sultan for public interest.

The Shura Council's members are elected for four-year terms. The council's president, however, is appointed by the Sultan, which has been a controversial aspect of its operations. The council's members include both men and women, with Oman enfranchising women as voters and candidates in 1994.

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