“The Gulf has become comfortable with the position it has in Arab and MENA politics. There’s really a shift in the center of gravity, at least in the Arab world, away from North Africa and the Levant and towards the Gulf. These countries have become much more comfortable assuming that leadership role.”
Ayham Kamel, Head, Middle East and North Africa Practice, Eurasia Group. The Gulf’s Regional Diplomacy [Babel Podcast, CSIS]