Why the Gulf states are not in lock step with the US on Iran strikes

March 6, 2026·11 min·1 clip

Gulf states feel abandoned as Iran targets U.S. bases across the region, sparking a crisis in alliances.

This episode of Today Magz examines the growing strategic divergence between the United States and its Gulf Arab allies regarding security against Iran. The host interviews Giorgio Caffiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics and a professor at Georgetown University. Caffiero provides analysis on the regional fallout from the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate Gulf allies believe the U.S. is prioritizing the defense of Israel and its own troops, leaving regional partners to face Iranian drones and missiles alone. Iran has conducted attacks targeting Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes. Iranian state media claims drones have targeted American bases in Kuwait in large numbers, with vows of more attacks to come. Caffiero states that, as of two days prior, damage to U.S. military assets in the region was quantified at about 1.9%. The discussion explores the practical meaning of this damage percentage for U.S. striking capabilities and service member security. Caffiero asserts that Iran is clearly able to wage costly attacks on U.S. installations across the GCC and wider Middle East. A key insight is the specific numerical assessment of physical damage to U.S. infrastructure, which is presented as relatively low at 1.9%. The episode highlights the perception among Gulf officials that American security priorities have shifted, creating a sense of abandonment. The geographic scope of Iranian retaliation is detailed as encompassing nearly every Gulf state. The analysis suggests Iranian attacks are a sustained campaign beginning from the first day of the broader war. Caffiero's assessment implies the operational cost of defending against these persistent Iranian attacks is significant for the U.S. The tone is analytical and news-focused, structured as an interview between a host and a subject-matter expert. The style is direct and fact-oriented, centered on geopolitical risk assessment. Listeners interested in current U.S.-Middle East relations and military strategy would find this episode valuable. Those seeking deep historical context or personal narratives from the region might find the discussion too narrowly focused on immediate events.

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