Geopolitics of Iran & the Gulf

Lebanese officials are making the regional rounds. President Michel Suleiman traveled to Saudi for a meeting with King Abdullah, emphasizing on his return: “the necessity of coordination between Lebanon and Saudi in their stances, because Lebanon represents the Arab states in the Security Council.”

The presidential media office also stated that the Saudi-Lebanese summit reinforced the links between the two countries and the importance of the solidarity of the Arab nation and strengthening bilateral agreements. I’m curious as to what level of coordination can be achieved between the two states concerning a vote to impose crippling sanctions on Iran. Suleiman’s use of the term “Arab” states is pointed. Iran certainly is not an Arab state, though it obviously is closer to its Middle East brethren than it is to the “West.” Also, whereas Lebanon is lumped with Syria in falling on the Iran side of foreign affairs, Saudi is thrown on the US bandwagon which is wholly against Ahmadinejad’s regime. So we can use the term "Arab" all we want in efforts to unite the Middle East against western desires to impose sanctions, but do ME states' interests actually align?

Perhaps most interesting, Ian Bremmer recently points out that Saudi is in fact more inclined to focus on investment opportunities in a stable Iraq, than looming war in Iran and/or Yemen. So this meeting leaves me wondering about Saudi’s view on Iran gaining nuclear capabilities, because a discussion on Iran must also involve discussions on oil production and prices, as well as Iran’s involvement in the internal politics of Iraq, which apparently the Kingdom is eying for financial reasons.

On to Kuwait. Lebanese Prime Minister Said Al Hariri visited Kuwait where he met with Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah who praised Hariri’s trip to Syria that aimed to repair the countries’ diplomatic relationship. On the political front, they and other officials discussed Israeli threats to Lebanon and the regional situation, and further steps to improve Lebanese-Syrian relations. Kuwait also announced that it's territory and air would not be used against Iran, and the two sides agreed that Lebanon would not take any steps against a nuclear Iran without coordination with the Arab states.

Meanwhile, Russia, India, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Syria and Oman are asking Iran for electricity imports. I barely understand how this would work, but apparently sub-sea cabling is involved which is pretty mind-blowing. Added to this demand, Iran is also set to export gas to Bahrain and Oman, further solidifying the Khaleej's interest in protecting their relationship with Iran.