Abstract

This article, based largely on primary sources, examines the poor record of relations between the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as the only regionally and internationally recognized Kurdish entity. It discusses the importance of rapprochement in the future, since survival in the wider Middle East depends on alliances, and argues that relations based on mutual interests and benefits could outweigh the potential costs that the repercussions of the Arab uprisings might create for state and non-state actors in the region. Having also determined the KRG’s approach towards, and expectations of the Gulf states, given how the United Arab Emirates (a state entity) interacts with the KRG (as a de facto state entity), the article concludes by examining, from an International Relations perspective, why the KRG might represent an interesting partner for the GCC states and how a more substantial convergence of interests could be achieved.