When the FBI Comes Calling…®

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) / Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

Created in May of 1981 for purpose of economic, political, and military integration, the GCC today provides important opportunities for security cooperation and intelligence sharing among its member states. Membership is comprised of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. During a summit in December of 2000 between the member states' heads of state, a joint defense agreement was also signed, to solidify and codify security cooperation efforts. GCC member states have since 1982 been in the process of integrating their defense capabilities (Peninsula Shield) to address emerging common security threats, particularly following an agreement which arose from a 1997 agreement at the Kuwait summit which has initiated a system for early warning in defense. The GCC is run primarily by the Supreme Council, which is comprised of the heads of government of the member states on a rotational presidency, and is reinforced by the Consultative Commission (formed by 5 prominent citizens of the member states, 30 in all) and the Commission for the Settlement of Disputes. The Ministerial Council, composed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states, also has an important role in the development of common GCC police. The chief of the GCC is a Secretary-General, appointed by the Supreme Council for a three year term.