Qatar: Qatar to host 44th Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha Dec. 5

Qatar will host the 44th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Doha on Dec. 5. The conference will likely take place at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, where previous GCC meetings occurred. Multiple high-level officials from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will attend the event. Leaders will be discussing the Israel-Hamas conflict and regional cooperation.

While there have been no specific, announced threats to the summit, large gatherings of Gulf state leaders could pose an attractive target for militant groups. Security forces will respond swiftly and aggressively to any perceived threat. Authorities will likely increase security in and around the venue in the days leading up to the event. Additional security measures, including checkpoints and road closures, are also likely along all major routes between the venue and Doha International Airport (DIA). Additional, unannounced closures of nearby roads are likely on Dec. 5 as attendees travel to and from the venue. Flight delays at DIA are also possible while summit attendees arrive and depart.