U.S. relations with the six nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) have been characterized by the use of "e;smart power"e; during the administration of President Barack Obama. The evolution in how the United States carries out diplomacy in the region offers an opportunity to examine its value in strengthening relations with the countries involved. This book explores the concept of smart power as a modern outgrowth of more traditional forms of diplomacy. It then examines how the United States has applied it in its diplomatic dealings with each of the GCC countries individually, and assesses the benefits and drawbacks of its use in a critical part of the world.