In the past 20 years, it was not 9/11 that shook the close ties between Washington and Riyadh.
![US President George W Bush speaks with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal at the White House on September 20, 2001 [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2001-09-20T120000Z_1287983170_PBEAHUKXRBQ_RTRMADP_3_USA-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
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For now, it seems bilateral reconciliation efforts in the GCC are proceeding, albeit at various speeds.
![Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahd Bin Mahmud, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Dubai's Ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum and Nayef al-Hajraf, secretary-general of the GCC pose for a picture before the opening session of the GCC summit in the northwestern Saudi city of al-Ula on January 5, 2021 [File: Bandar al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/000_8Y837X-3.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The blockade on Qatar may have a lasting impact beyond the Al-Ula declaration.
![GCC leaders pose for photos before the opening session of the 41st GCC summit in the northwestern Saudi city of Al-Ula on January 5, 2021 [Bandar al-Jaloud/handout via AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/000_8Y82N6.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The WTO ruling in favour of Qatar’s claims against Saudi Arabia could push forward efforts for a reconciliation.
Despite the US-Iran escalation, there seem to be more opportunities for engagement in the Gulf than a year ago.
The end of World War I marked the beginning of a major transformation in Turkey and the Middle East.
