The heads of the armed forces of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries discussed activating the unified military leadership and studying the establishment of a Gulf academy for strategic and security studies during a meeting in Kuwait on Monday. The GCC army chiefs are expected to meet on Wednesday with military officials from the United States, Egypt and Jordan, a Kuwaiti defense ministry official said on Sunday. Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Khudher said that the Council’s joint defense agreement reflected strong ties between the Gulf countries. “Our region is currently facing many regional and international challenges, which compel us to preserve our strong ties through joint efforts to protect our unity and improve it,” he said during the 15th meeting of the Supreme Military Committee of GCC chiefs of staff. The meeting gathers the chiefs of staff of the GCC countries, including Qatar, which has been witnessing tense relations with three Gulf States since June 5, 2017. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, in addition to Egypt, have severed diplomatic ties and suspended cooperation with Doha after accusing it of destabilizing the region and supporting extremist groups. Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah said in remarks at the end of July that his country was considering US proposals to establish a strategic alliance in the Middle East in order to counter Iranian influence in the region.