Gulf nations turn down Egypt's plan for a NATO-like Arab military alliance
In a significant development, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi proposed the creation of a NATO-style Arab defense force at a Gulf summit in Doha. The proposal comes amidst heightened security concerns in Cairo following an alleged Israeli plot against Hamas leaders in Egypt and the Sept. 9, 2025, Israeli strike in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders.
The summit concluded with a statement condemning Israel's attack on Doha but without any concrete military commitments. Persistent divisions over regional security were underscored at the gathering, as the Arab NATO proposal faces historical and regional challenges. Previous regional security initiatives have struggled to produce an effective military structure.
One of the major obstacles to the formation of the Arab NATO was the disagreement over leadership. Saudi Arabia sought command of the force, while Egypt claimed its military experience made it best suited. However, the proposal was ultimately rejected, with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates blocking it due to disagreements over leadership.
The attack in Doha signaled that Israel no longer considered any Arab capital a "safe zone." Egyptian officials expressed alarm over the potential forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into North Sinai. President Sissi described Israel as an "enemy," using the strongest language since the 1979 peace treaty.
Iran and Turkey were excluded from the discussion about the Arab defense force. Participants opted to rely on U.S. influence to push Israel toward a ceasefire. The 1950 Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation Treaty, which created a framework for collective security among Arab states, seems to have fallen by the wayside in the face of these challenges.
In a separate incident, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred in remote Pacific waters, triggering a tsunami warning. The search results do not provide information about who ultimately blocked the initiative to create the Arab defense alliance. As regional tensions continue to escalate, the need for a collective response remains a pressing concern for many Arab nations.
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