Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies which are under its control financially and politically remain the only mighty powers in the Arab world.

Khomeini's statement was widely received as a call to overthrow the Gulf monarchies.

Externally, the nuclear status was a way to boost Pakistan's prestige, importance and influence on among the friendly and Muslim nations, including rich Gulf monarchies.

At the same time, some of the tiny Gulf monarchies have made big economic strides, giving them a newfound confidence and eagerness to tighten trade ties with the United States.

Firms used to handling the absolute Gulf monarchies with caps firmly doffed as an important source of future income went to the then Labour government to intervene on their behalf.

Amnesty International urged Bahrain to release 13 jailed opposition activists, saying doing so would prove the Gulf monarchy is "genuinely committed" to reform and respecting human rights.

It is still very common not to mention the female members of the family in most of the Gulf monarchies.

Funding by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies supported the establishment of Islamic schools, centers, and charities around the country, but were largely shut down by the government in 2003.

While there are significant distinctions between Iraq and the traditional Gulf monarchies, the role of the ruling family is not one of them.

The overthrow of the Al Sabah family in Kuwait was a great shock to the other five Gulf monarchies.