How is the EU repositioning itself in the Gulf amid growing regional instability and shifting confidence in the United States?
In this interview, Eszter Karacsony, researcher in geopolitics and specialist in EU–GCC relations, joins Lyna Ouandjeli, International Strategy Program Lead at EISMENA, to examine how the Iran–Israel–U.S. conflict is reshaping European strategic thinking and relations between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:55 The Iran–Israel–U.S. conflict from Europe’s perspective
07:04 Europe’s geopolitical awakening
10:10 EU support for Gulf partners
19:38 Gulf diversification and trust in the U.S.
21:17 Can the EU become a more reliable partner?
22:23 EU–GCC trade and strategic agreements
24:13 Europe’s role in Gulf security
25:01 The Strait of Hormuz and maritime security
26:14 Nuclear diplomacy and European expertise
28:17 EU naval presence in the Red Sea
34:11 Can Europe become a stable Gulf partner?
35:19 Why the EU cannot replace the U.S. militarily
38:38 Green hydrogen, AI and economic cooperation
40:20 France, the UAE and Oman
45:21 Saudi–UAE tensions and GCC divisions
47:12 Gulf relations with Iran
51:03 New regional security alliances
54:51 The next five years of EU–Gulf relations
57:13 Middle powers and EU–GCC cooperation
59:09 The future Gulf security architecture
1:00:13 Saudi Arabia and nuclear diplomacy
1:01:15 IMEC and new connectivity corridors
1:02:22 Energy transition and technology
1:05:20 Conclusion