Two international experts affirmed that GCC states are no longer merely recipients of global changes but have become active and influential players in shaping regional and international geopolitical balances. This shift is due to their economic capabilities, strategic geographic location, and diverse partnerships with the East and the West.

This was emphasized during two roundtable discussions organized by the TRENDS’ virtual office in Türkiye, held at the Middle East Technical University (METU) and Near East University (NEU) in Cyprus. Dr. Serhat S. Çubukçuoğlu, Director of the TRENDS Office in Türkiye, and Dr. Brendon J. Cannon, an expert in international affairs, participated in the sessions.

The sessions witnessed remarkable engagement from academic and student audiences. Discussions focused on several strategic topics, including the transformation of the global order, maritime security, Türkiye’s Blue Homeland strategy, and joint naval exercises as tools for alliance-building and deterrence.

Dr. Çubukçuoğlu explained that GCC states—particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE—are moving toward diversifying their international partnerships through frameworks such as BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This, he noted, reflects a shift toward multipolarity in the region. He emphasized that these countries are adopting foreign policies characterized by relative independence and openness, which provide opportunities to rebalance global economic governance and energy market influence away from traditional hegemonies.

For his part, Dr. Brendon Cannon discussed the evolution of joint naval exercises in the Gulf, highlighting that they serve not only military preparedness but also act as a strategic hedge for GCC countries in the face of great power rivalries.

The roundtables also addressed the shift in Türkiye’s maritime doctrine. Dr. Çubukçuoğlu presented the development of the Blue Homeland concept as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s maritime strategy, explaining that it integrates deterrence and diplomacy tools across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

The sessions concluded by emphasizing that the seas remain a central arena for global competition, where hard power tools intersect with diplomacy. The experts pointed out that GCC states now play a pivotal role in shaping a new, multipolar regional order.