The long road to war with IranAs the conflict with Iran reshapes global security assumptions and energy markets, the debate in the United States has focused largely on why President Donald Trump chose war in the first place. Even with overwhelming military power and US backing, Israeli security doctrine has tended to treat emerging risks as intolerable rather than negotiable. The road to war ran through the Gulf states as well. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has long shaped regional security, but the 2019 attacks on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais exposed the Gulf states' vulnerability. In response, several Gulf states moved towards strategic alignment with Israel through the 2020 Abraham Accords, reflecting shared concern over Iran's regional influence.

Source: Bangkok Post March 05, 2026 23:09 UTC