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The Arabian Gulf has witnessed a number of major wars over the past four decades, including the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and now the Iranian-Israeli War, in addition to many clashes, skirmishes, and mutual missile launches.

These events raise the question of whether it is only the Gulf's wealth that has caused all these wars. Of course not, as the Portuguese, British, and Ottomans invaded the Gulf four hundred years before the discovery of oil in the Gulf states.

For example, the Portuguese reached the shores of the Arabian Gulf in 1506, which is four centuries before the commercial discovery of oil in the region. Their goal was to control the maritime trade routes between the East and the West, which passed through the Arabian Gulf, and to find a new route to India and the countries of East Asia away from Ottoman control of the traditional routes. This was a struggle for economic influence and geographical expansion before it became a struggle over oil.

The strategic location of the Arabian Gulf as an intermediary area between the East and the West, and the passage of shipping lines through it, has been one of the fundamental factors in the ongoing conflict in the Arabian Gulf for more than five centuries—up to the present day. Even if we assume that oil and gas had not been discovered in the Arabian Gulf, its importance would remain unchanged, as it is an important trade corridor linking the East and the West, providing quick access to open seas, allowing the countries bordering it to trade with other countries around the world.

We might recall that the Germans and Ottomans sought to build a railway line starting from Germany and ending in Basra on the Arabian Gulf to reach the Indian Ocean and from there to the countries bordering it. It was an alliance for trade and its extended routes, and the project failed due to World War I, which aborted this idea and brought it down.

The military importance of the Arabian Gulf region lies in its role as a dividing line between the conflicting powers in the world, especially the East and the West. This became particularly evident during the conflict between the two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, from the 1950s until the early 1990s, and it is currently manifesting clearly through the U.S.-China rivalry. This important feature has granted and will grant Gulf countries the ability to enhance their status and roles, as well as to maneuver and benefit from relationships with all parties.

The current war between Israel and Iran raises many questions: Is the region prone to more wars? Will these wars affect the future of its peoples in terms of development and economy? Is it possible to replace conflicts with economic cooperation—as called for by the Saudi Crown Prince—rather than military competition, which has led and will lead to more wars and failed states?

Undoubtedly, continuing to think with the mentality of past centuries will lead to more wars. Additionally, viewing Gulf countries merely as financial banks is also incorrect. The Gulf mentality must be understood, which is that of real traders and developers. The capitals and cities of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which rival the economies of entire countries, are a testament to this.

From here, one can understand the importance of the Arabian Gulf's location in international strategy and in the thinking of politicians—both in the West and the East—who seek to build successful relationships with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. These countries have been able to absorb and understand this equation and have employed it for the benefit of development and the advancement of their economies. This has become the foundation of their success and progress, as they have not relied solely on their oil and gas wealth, but have transformed their geopolitical position into a driving force for their development and advancement.