The damaged building, left, in the compound housing members of Palestinian militant group Hamas' political bureau, pictured on September 10, 2025. AFP/Getty Images

For decades, wealthy Gulf Arab states cast themselves as oases of stability in a region mired in conflict, building gleaming capitals with fast-growing economies powered by by millions of foreign workers drawn to economic opportunity and a tax-free lifestyle.

But this year, their sense of safety was shattered when two regional powers conducted a direct strike on a Gulf country for the first time. First, Iran targeted an American airbase in Qatar in June after the US struck its nuclear facilities. Then came Israel’s attack this week, targeting Hamas’ political leadership in Doha.

Gulf Arab states are rattled as a Gaza war

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