There is no need for good or bad relations with the gulf, just simply amicable relations built on respect. The gulf is sinking into the abyss. Their 2 major sectors ie tourism/oil are in a freefall. Most expats are on their way out. Most of the educated expats have already left due to the ability to work remote from their home countries. The GCC today is far less influential than the GCC from 5 years back and its influence will only continue to decline going into the future.
We have given way to much protection to these sheihkdoms and royals with nothing to show in return. I say its time to turn up the pressure on these sheihks and start showing our stick. I doubt they will be a huge market for our exports in a way China, EU, or USA can be but there is a huge opportunity to build refineries and re-export their refined petroleum products from the gulf via gwadar.
An islamic bloc is completely out of question. We should strive for stronger relations with Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other like minded nations. We should also try to improve relations with Tehran (if they are willing to give up BLA terrorist to us). Simply put our interest in the gulf should be based off of increasing our export dollars, and nothing more.
