The Gulf Cooperation Council Cooperation Mechanism

The Gulf Cooperation Council is the most successful regional organization in Middle East owing to its rather mature cooperation mechanism. However, little attention is paid to its mechanism in the academic field at home. In view of this, this paper has conducted a thorough research possible on GCC cooperation mechanism by applying theory of international regime in order to have a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding about this organization. The foundation of the GCC is the direct response to their external threats. National security became the primary concern after the outbreak of Iran Islamic Revolution and Iran-Iraq war in GCC countries, and it also serves as a catalyst, bonding them together as a sub-regional organization——the Gulf Cooperation Council. During its almost 30 years of cooperation, the GCC has made great achievements, especially in economic field. Because of the gulf region's unique geopolitics,economy and cultural environment, the GCC is characterized as the following: In terms of openness and issue scope, it's exclusive in membership and comprehensive in issues discussed; it is at moderate level in centralization of task and controlling as far as institutional arrangements and regulations are concerned. The nature of GCC cooperative mechanism lies in its political pragmatism. National interests and security threats are the most important elements that influence GCC cooperation.