Ziad Daoud Explains How War with Iran Will Reshape the Gulf

The recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran has fundamentally altered the geopolitical and economic landscape of the Gulf region. Ziad Daoud, Chief Emerging Markets Economist at Bloomberg Economics, notes that while the region previously cultivated an image of stability to attract global capital and talent, the direct targeting of infrastructure and the weaponization of energy supplies have shattered this perception. Gulf nations now face the dual challenge of increased military spending and the potential for reduced outward capital flows as they prioritize domestic reconstruction and security. Furthermore, the conflict has exposed the limitations of the U.S. security umbrella, forcing regional powers to reassess their strategic alliances. These developments threaten to cannibalize economic diversification efforts and may lead to long-term structural shifts, including changes in physical architecture and the emergence of new, unpredictable non-state actors.