Bangladesh, July 2 -- The Middle East stands at a strategic crossroads. For decades, the Arab Gulf states have navigated regional instability by relying on a combination of American security guarantees, economic resilience and cautious diplomacy. Yet the geopolitical landscape is changing at a pace few anticipated. The confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States has exposed not only the vulnerabilities of the region but also the limits of the existing security architecture.

For the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the challenge extends far beyond the immediate consequences of military confrontation. The greater concern lies in what comes next. Even if a ceasefire holds and negotiations between Washington ...