What happens if the Gulf monarchies decide they no longer want U.S. military bases on their soil?
In this deep geopolitical analysis, News Baba breaks down a scenario rarely discussed in mainstream media: the possibility that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries could push the United States out of the region. With Iran threatening continued attacks on U.S. bases and the Strait of Hormuz becoming a major flashpoint, the question is no longer hypothetical — it’s strategic.
This video explains how the Gulf monarchies are not a monolith, and why each country has different incentives when it comes to hosting U.S. forces.
We divide the GCC into three strategic groups:
1️⃣ The “Big Brothers” – Saudi Arabia & UAE These are the largest and most economically powerful Gulf states. With stronger militaries and more strategic autonomy, they have the greatest leverage to ask the U.S. to leave bases like Prince Sultan Air Base if American security guarantees appear unreliable.
2️⃣ The “Little Brothers” – Qatar, Kuwait & Bahrain These countries host some of the most important U.S. military facilities in the world:
• Al Udeid Air Base (CENTCOM headquarters) in Qatar
• Camp Arifjan logistics hub in Kuwait
• The U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain Because of their size and security concerns, these states depend far more on American protection.
3️⃣ The Outlier – Oman Oman sits partly outside the Strait of Hormuz and traditionally plays the role of regional mediator. It hosts rotating U.S. forces but prioritizes sovereignty and neutrality.
The video explores:
• Whether GCC states could realistically expel U.S. forces
• How Gulf security might work without American protection
• Why Saudi Arabia could become the region’s security anchor
• The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz
• Why Iran may be more defensive than expansionist despite Western narratives
With rising tensions in the Middle East and questions about American power projection, the future of U.S. bases in the Gulf could reshape global energy security, regional alliances, and great-power competition.
If you’re interested in geopolitics, Middle East strategy, global energy politics, and U.S.–Iran tensions, this analysis breaks it down clearly using real-world examples and simple analogies.
