Arab states have rejected Egypt’s proposal to create a NATO-style joint defense force. The plan aimed to strengthen regional security against external threats. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates led the blocking effort during talks in Doha .
The proposal sought to establish a rapid-response alliance under the 1950 Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation Treaty. Egyptian officials argued the force could protect member states from attacks. They specifically named Israel as a growing concern .
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi left the Doha summit deeply frustrated. His plan faced opposition over key issues like leadership and structure. Gulf states preferred focusing on their existing defense council instead .
The summit primarily addressed Israel’s recent attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar. That operation killed six people and raised security concerns. Yet Arab leaders could not agree on a unified military response .
Saudi Arabia wanted command of any new defense force. Egypt argued its military experience made it best suited to lead. The disagreement reflected deeper regional rivalries .
Gulf states also opposed including Iran or Turkey in the alliance. They chose to keep defense matters within their Gulf Cooperation Council. The GCC later pledged to activate its own joint defense pact .
The failed proposal marked Egypt’s second attempt at Arab military integration. A similar 2015 plan collapsed over sovereignty and command issues. That plan responded to Houthi gains in Yemen .
Egypt envisioned a force with naval, air and ground units. It would include special operations troops for counterterrorism missions. Contributions would vary based on each country’s military size .
Cairo wanted to host the force’s headquarters and provide its first commander. Leadership would later rotate among Arab League members. A civilian secretary-general would handle administrative duties .
The September 9 Israeli strike on Doha changed regional calculations. It showed Israel could attack targets in any Arab capital. This alarmed Egyptian officials already worried about Gaza .
Egypt uncovered an Israeli plot to target Hamas leaders on its soil. This added urgency to Cairo’s defense proposals. Sisi later called Israel an enemy in a notable escalation .
The summit’s final statement condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar. But it offered no concrete military actions or sanctions. Instead, participants urged US pressure on Israel for a Gaza ceasefire .
US influence played a role in the outcome. Qatari officials returned from Washington with messages for Arab states. They said no resolutions should be taken against Israel .
American officials promised President Trump would restrain Israel. The UAE strongly supported this diplomatic approach. Other Arab states found themselves cornered by this stance .
The GCC announced plans to boost intelligence sharing and early warning systems. Members will update defense plans and hold joint exercises. Their statement recalled NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense principle .
Regional analysts say the rejection reveals deep divisions. Arab states disagree on how to confront Israel and handle security. The outcome left Egypt feeling isolated within Arab alliances .
Turkey’s president urged economic pressure on Israel during the summit. Iran’s leader called for Muslim nations to cut ties with Israel. But these tougher measures gained no widespread support .
The war in Gaza continues with over 64,000 Palestinians killed. Israel also fights Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen. These conflicts increase security concerns across the region .
Previous attempts at Arab military cooperation have struggled. The 1950 defense treaty created frameworks but lacked real power. Political rivalries and competing interests often undermined unity .
Egypt remains the first Arab state to normalize ties with Israel. Their 1979 peace treaty continues despite recent tensions. But Egyptian public sentiment remains largely opposed to Israel .
The Doha summit highlighted ongoing challenges in Arab relations. States must balance US alliances with regional security needs. For now, they prefer bilateral deals over collective defense .