Gulf states need greater security autonomy, but US remains key, experts say

Gulf states need to strengthen their national and collective defence capabilities while keeping the United States as a central security partner, experts said at the Hili Forum.⁠ ⁠ Iran was identified as the principal long-term security threat, with experts stressing that no Gulf state can manage the challenge entirely on its own.⁠ ⁠ Prof. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said the UAE has shown it can respond independently to major threats, but argued that external strategic support will remain essential, potentially even more so in the future.⁠ ⁠ Experts also pointed to the growing importance of air defence, GCC cooperation and partnerships with…