The Arms-Dynamic Pacemaker: Ballistic-Missile Defense in the Middle East

[...] it is reasonable to expect that Riyadh will also strengthen its BMD capability, given Iran's growing missile force and the overall trend towards BMD deployments in the Middle East.12 In the case of the Gulf states, Washington's role in the field of missile defense has not been limited to that of a supplier. Since the days of the Clinton administration, the United States has been advocating an integrated regional-defense system, including the national capabilities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Egypt.13 So far, cooperation among the GCC states has remained confined to a joint aerospace surveillance system, but the United States has remained committed to its plans despite the reluctance of its allies.\n It has to be noted, though, that Iran could rely on foreign expertise to speed up the development of resilient IRBMs and ICBMs.