Arab Leaders Question US Security Guarantee After Qatar Attack

Israeli strike could speed up Arab efforts to forge stronger ties with other global powers

- 

DUBAI - Arab leaders across the Middle East are questioning the value of American security guarantees in the wake of Israel's unprecedented assault on Qatar – a major US ally and home to Washington's biggest military base in the region.

Other US allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, condemned the attack. None are expected to react militarily or through trade sanctions against Israel, but the incident could accelerate Arab efforts to diversify their alliances by forging stronger economic, political and even military ties with other global powers, according to experts.

"If you are an Arab country that hosts US bases, or a NATO member like Turkey, and then a major US ally attacks Qatar, you are going to deeply question that American security umbrella you've paid top dollar for," said Ms Ellie Geranmayeh, who is the deputy programme director for Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

The attack also undermined one of US President Donald Trump's key foreign policy objectives: weakening Iran and promoting greater integration between Israel and Arab states. Instead, countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar could work to further normalize ties with Tehran – rejecting what they see as an increasingly hegemonic Israel, whose aggressive military posture they believe will destabilize the region.

"A strong Iran that threatened Gulf states pushed some of them towards Israel," said Mr Mustafa Fahs, a Beirut-based commentator. "Now, an Israel that seems to be out of control is making them step back and even deepen rapprochement with Iran."

The UAE was caught off guard by the attack in Qatar and believes Israel is increasingly following in Iran's footsteps by becoming a threat to the region's stability, according to an official from the country.