Air/Missile Defense, Counterproliferation and Security Policy Planning : Implications for Collaboration Between the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Providing an assessment of evolving air and missile threats confronting the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, this volume highlights the impact of trends involving missiles and weapons of mass destruction on the balance of power in the Arabian Gulf region. It also reviews US concepts of operation for air/missile-defence co-ordination, and proposes policies for future UAE and GCC security planning. The authors argue for shared early-warning and integrated air-defence systems, the need for political commitment from the United States and all the GCC governments to install improved defences, the need for improved understanding and communication as an essential precondition for increased air/missile-defence co-operation, and the long-term advantages of pursuing such co-operation both on a US-GCC basis and among the GCC member states themselves. The range of benefits associated with a regional approach to air and missile defence are explored, together with the question of how expanded air/missile-defence co-operation in the region fits into a broader geopolitical framework.