Dubai ATC on the whole is a reasonable outfit, the rest of the Gulf however does not live up to the standards expected of modern ATC. Controllers are lax lazy and generally unworthy of the trust we place in them. Doha probably ranks second followed by a dire Bahrain. Anywhere in Saudi is a joke regrettably, unanswered calls are common place and the lack of standard phraseology constantly leads to ambiguity and mistakes. Disappointingly change of any sort is slow, indeed recent steps regarding early descents particularly in Bahrain are inefficient at best and from this side of the fence entirely unnecessary wasting both fuel and time. 10 mile separation into Bahrain doesn't help and Gulf Air as usual are ineffectual, unable to apply pressure and correct the glaring faults and frustration pilots are forced to deal with on a daily basis. Can we hear from ATC on this and start a sensible and constructive discussion on how to improve?