1. The city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, September 27, 2008 (Noushad Akambadam)

    Gulf States Delay Plans for Closer Arabian Union

    Wary of Saudi domination, the smaller nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council delayed plans for closer political integration.

  1. The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman operates in the Arabian Sea, November 23, 2010 (US Navy/Kilho Park)

    Arab Gulf States Struggle to Agree On Missile Shield

    The Sunni monarchies are uneasy about sharing data and cannot decide on the location of a central command.

  1. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, 2010 (Reuters/Zohra Bensemra)

    Gulf States Caught in Middle of Iranian-Saudi Cold War

    As Iran menaces the smaller Persian Gulf states, they are driven into Saudi Arabia’s warm embrace.

  1. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Saud bin Faisal Al Saud and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meet in Washington DC, January 10, 2011 (Getty Images/Astrid Riecken)

    Clinton Cautions Saudis Against Arming Syrian Rebels

    The American secretary of state urged Saudi Arabia to support international diplomatic efforts against the Syrian regime.

  1. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria

    Saudi Arabia Arming Syrian Opposition

    A top Arab diplomat tells the AFP press agency that Saudi weapons are underway to Syria.