BLUF
OSIRIS is receiving reports indicating that the State of Israel (Israel) is creating an unofficial strategic air-defense alliance (brokered by the US) with nine Arab nations in response to several recent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and missile attacks in the region that originated from the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) and Iranian-sponsored militias. According to Reuters, anonymous sources identify these nations as the following: Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt), Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Jordan), Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Republic of Iraq (Iraq), State of Kuwait (Kuwait), State of Qatar (Qatar), Sultanate of Oman (Oman), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is unclear at this time whether the region's alleged joint-Early Warning Detection System (EWDS) features counterstrike applications.
ANALYSIS
Most of these countries already cooperate to some degree on intelligence, security operations, and air force training; and, multilateral peace partnerships already exist in the region, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Abraham Accords. But, according to Reuters, no nation has confirmed a formal coalition with Israel with targeted opposition to Iran: "A senior Iraqi security adviser said no official plan has been presented to Baghdad. . . . The UAE government said it is not party to any regional military alliance against any specific country and is not aware of any formal talks. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan did not respond to requests for comment." The media outlet neglected to mention whether Qatari officials responded to requests for comment or whether the journalists proffered any such requests. OSIRIS is monitoring this geopolitical situation as it develops.
Bình luận