IISS Manama Dialogue 2026 | Global Security Governance: Inclusion and Agency

Summary

The closing panel examined whether smaller and middle powers have meaningful influence in global security governance, distinguishing inclusion—having a place at the table—from agency—being able to shape and enforce decisions.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s foreign minister argued that regional security should be shaped with the states directly affected. He said GCC states and Jordan had faced nearly 7,000 missile, drone and cruise-missile attacks, threatening three essential systems: maritime routes, airspace and data networks.

He cited severe disruption to shipping and trade, and said attacks on civilian infrastructure and threats to undersea cables made the crisis an international concern. Bahrain called for stronger enforcement of international rules, including principles protecting unimpeded passage through waterways, and for a regional security framework open to any neighbor willing to respect sovereignty and reject coercion.

He also linked the credibility of international rules to consistent support for Palestinian statehood, and backed an international treaty on AI governance.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE’s diplomatic adviser said the Gulf wanted a political resolution and did not seek another round of confrontation, while stressing that the UAE would defend its sovereignty if attacked.

He said the crisis had damaged confidence in the Gulf’s development model and exposed serious weaknesses in collective security: GCC solidarity, he argued, had not translated into an effective collective response. Rebuilding trust—with Iran and among Gulf partners—would take time.

He described the UAE’s relationship with the United States as central to its security, but said regional governments also needed to reassess the reliability of their partnerships. He noted that some outside partners had offered support while existing regional arrangements had not operated as expected.

Armenia

Armenia’s foreign minister argued that a state’s international role depends not only on its size or resources, but also on its political choices. Armenia, he said, had chosen peace, cooperation and regional connectivity.

He pointed to the 2025 Washington summit and the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process as an opportunity to move the South Caucasus from confrontation toward cooperation. Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, including planned transport, energy and communications links, was presented as a way to create shared benefits and strengthen trade and supply-chain resilience.

He also emphasized diversifying Armenia’s partnerships, including with Gulf states, and urged participants to seek arrangements that address different countries’ concerns rather than pursue zero-sum competition.

Audience Discussion and Closing Remarks

Questions covered whether Iran and Israel could eventually join regional security arrangements; the risks and value of foreign military bases; GCC relations with Iran; maritime security and cooperation with African coastal states; economic recovery; and the reliability of alliances. Delegates also raised China’s strategic influence and supply-chain dependencies, Israeli politics, and the UAE–US–India trilateral format.

In response, the UAE adviser said Gulf countries were maintaining diplomatic channels with Iran, including mediation efforts, but that Iran would need to rebuild trust with its southern neighbors. He said deterrence should support diplomacy, not replace it, and that the GCC needed to examine why its defense arrangements had not functioned effectively during the crisis.

Bahrain’s foreign minister said regional security should ultimately include all relevant states, including Israel, provided there was respect for sovereignty, non-aggression and freedom of navigation.

The session’s moderator closed the dialogue by noting that around 700 delegates from 66 countries had attended, including 25 young leaders from 10 countries, and that the IISS had facilitated about 123 bilateral meetings.

Presenters and Contributors

• Bastian Giegerich — moderator and closing speaker
• Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani — Bahrain’s foreign minister
• Dr Anwar Gargash — diplomatic adviser to the UAE president
• Ararat Mirzoyan — Armenia’s foreign minister
• Audience delegates — contributed questions and comments during the discussion