EADaily, March 20th, 2026. Omani journalist and international relations researcher Salem Al-Jahuri on BBC Arabic confirmed reports of US pressure on the Gulf monarchies in order to force them to pay. He accused the United States of racketeering the Gulf countries.
IF he sticks on that, THEN … the course of the Middle East just changed, bigtime: from their perspective, this’s extortion.
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security from China and Iran would seem to be much cheaper. President of Iran offered “an Islamic assembly” with neighbours today. https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/world/iran-not-seeking-war-with-muslim-states-president While China is not invited, GCC would feel more comfortable having good relations with them as well to not be overly dominated by Iran.