Strategic affairs researcher and media analyst Dr. Liqaa Makki and political researcher Dr. Saleh Al Mutairi with Qatar TV presenter Saif Al Emadi during the panel discussion.
Doha, Qatar: A panel discussion organised by the Qatar Press Center examined the future of the Gulf region in the aftermath of the recent war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, highlighting four possible regional scenarios and outlining ten strategic priorities for Gulf countries in the coming phase.
The session, titled “After the War: The Gulf and Regional Transformations,” explored the political, security, and media shifts taking place across the Gulf amid escalating regional tensions and the repercussions of Iranian attacks on Gulf security and stability.
The discussion was part of the center’s ongoing “Press Council” series, which addresses major regional and international developments through dialogue with political analysts, researchers, and media experts.
The session featured strategic affairs researcher and media analyst Dr. Liqaa Makki and political researcher Dr. Saleh Al Mutairi. The discussion was moderated by Qatar TV presenter Saif Al Emadi and attended by journalists and observers of regional affairs.
Dr. Makki said understanding the current regional shifts requires revisiting the strategic environment that preceded the latest conflict. He noted that the Middle East had already been experiencing escalating tensions for months, with the possibility of confrontation existing well before the outbreak of recent events.
He described the events of October 7, 2023, as a major turning point that reshaped regional political and security balances, adding that the current instability is the result of accumulated regional and international transformations over several years rather than the latest war alone.
Makki stressed that the Middle East remains a critical hub for energy, trade, and global geopolitics, meaning any political or security disruption has far-reaching consequences for the international economy and global order. He added that the war in Gaza and the subsequent expansion of regional confrontations complicated the political landscape and prevented a swift resolution of the conflict.
For his part, Dr. Al Mutairi said the Gulf has entered a new political and security phase following the conflict, with recent events exposing the scale of challenges facing the region. He stressed that scenes of air raid sirens and missile attacks were unfamiliar to Gulf societies accustomed to decades of stability, but said this reflects the complexity of the regional geopolitical environment rather than Gulf weakness.
Al Mutairi noted that Gulf states continue to pursue balanced policies that combine diplomacy with strengthening defence capabilities, recognising that any large-scale confrontation would have severe consequences for regional and global stability. The speakers outlined four potential post-war scenarios, including reshaping regional political and security balances, rising challenges related to energy and international competition, developing long-term Gulf strategies.
