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How the U.S.-Iran showdown has shattered the myth of an “unsinkable” defense umbrella—and why the Gulf monarchies are quietly shopping for a new guarantor.

Since February 2026, Washington has ceased to be a shield and has become a prime target of hatred and questioning of 80 years of American presence in the region and 35 years of security delegation since 1990-1991.

Rubio’s Gulf tour was less a diplomatic triumph and more a reassurance mission, exposing Washington’s growing anxiety over losing its traditional partners. The Gulf is not abandoning America, but in a multipolar world, it is no longer willing to keep all its eggs in one basket.