Deep Dive: Gulf states hire private foreign military specialists after Iranian missile and drone attacks

The recent Iranian strikes on Gulf Arab states represent a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, triggered by the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran starting February 28, 2026. From the Senior Geopolitical Analyst's perspective, this move by Gulf states to engage private foreign military specialists underscores a strategic pivot away from reliance on traditional state alliances, particularly as US commitments under President Trump appear focused on aggressive regime change objectives rather than defensive umbrellas. Iran's retaliation targets energy-rich Gulf nations, which host US bases and align closely with Israel, aiming to deter further involvement while exploiting vulnerabilities in their air defenses. The International Affairs Correspondent highlights the cross-border ripple effects: attacks on UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar disrupt global energy markets, as these states control key oil and gas infrastructure vital for international trade. Humanitarian crises loom with strikes on cities like Dubai, where civilian areas suffer collateral damage from projectiles breaching defenses. Migration pressures could intensify if conflicts displace populations across the Gulf, straining neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman. Regionally, the Intelligence Expert notes the cultural and historical context of Sunni-Shia divides fueling Iran-Sunni Gulf tensions, exacerbated by proxy wars in Yemen and Syria. Gulf monarchies, lacking large conscript armies, have long supplemented forces with foreign mercenaries, a practice rooted in their small native populations and oil-wealth. Hiring private specialists now signals urgency to bolster missile defense systems against Iran's drone swarms, a tactic honed since the 2019 Abqaiq attack. Key actors include Iran seeking to assert deterrence, Gulf states preserving regime stability, and private military firms filling capability gaps amid eroding US protection. Looking ahead, this development risks broadening the war, drawing in more actors like Saudi Arabia or Turkey, with implications for global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The reliance on private contractors introduces risks of fragmented command structures, potentially prolonging instability.