Reluctant or Pragmatic? The GCC’s Policy towards Taliban-Led Afghanistan

The Taliban’s capture of Kabul in 2021 has presented the neighbourhood and beyond with layers of challenges to deal with, particularly for the Persian Gulf. On the one hand, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members are concerned about the repercussions of the change of guard in Kabul vis-à-vis terrorism and refugee-related instability. On the other, the withdrawal of US forces has questioned their policy priorities, leading them to consider variegating their international partners for their security imperatives. The developing situation in Afghanistan can alter the geopolitical equations in the Persian Gulf. The growing importance that Qatar has received from the US and the Taliban due to its status as a mediator and Turkey’s entry using the Doha card are among the main influencing factors. The GCC governments neither praised nor criticised the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. Their responses so far, though cautious and limited, have been pragmatic, putting their national interest first. However, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar will continue to be relevant in Afghan affairs either directly or indirectly through diplomatic and economic overtures as they realise that a stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of the GCC. Such moves are crucial to ensure the crisis does not spill over to the Gulf. Through its diplomatic, economic and religious clout, the GCC can catalyse the international community to devise a multi-pronged approach to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.