This paper deals with evolving relations between the Arab Gulf States and the Maghreb since 2011 during a delicate stage of reorganization, marked by great uncertainties and risks. Dynamics related to political, ideational, economic and security dimensions have been in flux, though some systemic- structural realities and historical facts impact the most recent events. The ‘Islam factor’ will be analysed, including relevant links between the Maghreb and the Arabian Peninsula. Religious, humanitarian, political and business aspects in Gulf-North African relations are expressions of both state and non-state actors. Political Islam and the Islamist thought in its complexity and various expressions are examined, since they influence Arab Gulf States’ approaches to evolving politics in North Africa (from the war in Libya to the situations in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) and their economic and financial engagements. The paper will focus on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, the most involved Arab Gulf actors in the region. The paper will also provide an analysis in light of the changing balances and political environments both in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and in North Africa, ten years after the ‘Arab Spring’. A multi-contextual analysis will allow to identify some areas of cooperation between the parties, without neglecting the differences, which are certainly more evident with some North African countries such as Algeria and post-2011 Tunisia. Morocco’s case is important, for its relations with the GCC countries have grown during the last decade because of the convergence of economic and political interests. Given that Morocco is the main economic and trade partner of Europe in North Africa, Morocco’s role as a ‘bridge’ between the Gulf and Europe may contribute to the creation of integrated markets in the area. Coordination with the European Union seems to be crucial as a pre-requisite to pursue some integrative partnerships on a trilateral basis that have the potential to contribute to sustainable economic development, human security, and prosperity in and around the Mediterranean. Given the scant literature on this theme, the paper will take an international political economy approach and draw from several dozen/over 100 interviews conducted by the author in two/three/four languages in Europe, the GCC, and the Maghreb.