Maritime security, integrated air and missile defense and cyber security are three areas “ripe” for greater cooperation in the Persian Gulf region, according to a Defense Department official. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Matthew Spence said Monday greater cooperation is a long-term approach to addressing common issues in the region in addition to immediate needs. Spence said, for example, if the Straits of Hormuz were closed, it would pose problems to not only the Arab countries…