Schism within the GCC or "the Same Old Tribal Politics"?

Since the Arab Spring swept through the Arab world, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been thrust into the limelight again. On one hand, it has increased its cooperation, of which its initiative in Yemen is maybe the most successful example. On the other, the diverse responses of GCC member states to the various internal challenges they are now facing has also opened up areas of fierce contention within the Council. Is this just the same old tribal politics or do we see a schism emerging in the GCC? Are the Arab uprisings propelling the GCC into deeper cooperation?

Paper produced within the framework of the IAI-GMF strategic partnership.