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n October 1987, the GCC agreed on a mutual defense pact whereby an attack on any Member State would be construed as an attack on all Member States.

Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2nd August 1990. The GCC immediately condemned the invasion. As the coalition against Saddam Hussein was put in place, the complex relations between the different Arab countries of the region shifted significantly. The GCC moved closer to Egypt and Syria, as it became clear that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria would spearhead the Arab component of the multinational alliance ranged against Saddam Hussein.

There have, of course, been disagreements between the Member States of the GCC. Border disputes have flared up from time to time (e.g. between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 1992 and between Bahrain and Qatar in 1996) but the commitment of the GCC leaders, and King Fahd’s determination to show that Arab unity can be a reality, have ensured cohesion and progress, even on such sensitive issues.