By The Blogging Hounds
Egypt is reviving a bold plan to establish a NATO-style Arab military force, aimed at defending member states from attacks and projecting regional influence amid escalating Israeli strikes in the Gulf. The initiative, first floated in 2015, is gaining momentum ahead of a critical Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, signaling Cairo’s ambition to lead a unified Arab security framework.
Cairo Reasserts Leadership in Regional Security
According to multiple Arabic-language sources, including Lebanon’s pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar and London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking to rebuild Arab support for a rapid-reaction force capable of deploying to protect any member state under threat. Egypt reportedly plans to contribute 20,000 troops and to place a four-star Egyptian officer in command, with Saudi Arabia positioned as a principal partner.
Officials emphasized that the force would reflect the military capacities and demographics of participating nations while balancing regional political considerations, including potential contributions from Morocco, Algeria, and other Arab states.
“The mechanism must allow the force to be deployed when needed, and it should be formed in a way that reflects the composition of Arab states and their armies, while balancing regional politics,” a Cairo official told Al-Akhbar.
Structure, Command, and Capabilities
The proposed force would include naval, air, and ground units, elite commandos, and specialized counterterrorism teams. Command would be shared, with Egypt holding the first top post and Saudi Arabia or another Gulf state taking the second. A planning council would manage training, logistics, and harmonization of weapon systems. Operations, whether combat or peacekeeping, would require formal requests from affected nations and approval by the commander and chief of staff.
Arab League members have previously conducted joint exercises, but previous efforts to create a permanent NATO-style force stalled due to sovereignty concerns and conflicting interests. Now, Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha has added urgency to Cairo’s push for collective defense.
Regional Context and Rising Tensions
The proposed force emerges against the backdrop of a deeply destabilized Middle East. The war in Gaza is entering its third year, leaving over 64,000 Palestinians dead and much of the coastal enclave in ruins. Israel has also engaged Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iran-linked actors across Syria.
Arab nations are increasingly wary of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive regional policies, reinforced by unwavering U.S. support under President Donald Trump. Many believe a coordinated Arab military presence is necessary to counter perceived Israeli overreach and protect regional sovereignty.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Egypt’s reported plan as a “severe blow to peace agreements” and to the Abraham Accords, arguing that it threatens existing diplomatic frameworks.
Prophetic and Strategic Implications
Cairo’s renewed proposal positions Egypt at the center of Arab security, echoing historical patterns where Egypt has served as a pivot for regional defense. Analysts suggest the initiative could shift the balance of power in the Middle East, potentially serving as a deterrent to unilateral military actions and signaling Arab unity against external threats.
With the Doha summit imminent, the resurrection of the NATO-style Arab force plan demonstrates the Middle East’s growing volatility and the pressing need for collective defense in an era of escalating conflict.
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