US, Gulf countries launch defense groups in Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions

The U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have announced the establishment of new defense working groups in Saudi Arabia to enhance cooperation against shared air and maritime threats.

This development follows Iran’s firing of 300 missiles and drones toward Israel in April, an incident where Israel, the U.S., and other countries intercepted most of these projectiles.

While no GCC countries directly participated in the defensive operation, it catalyzed discussions for deeper cooperation.

The goal of these discussions is to improve information sharing and coordination to develop a unified air defense approach. This initiative aims to counter Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities effectively.

Previous attempts at regional defense alliances faced challenges because of political rivalries, but recent events have spurred a renewed focus on collective defense efforts.

The U.S. and GCC have a history of collaboration in defense working groups, and the current situation has added urgency to strengthen integrated air and missile defense strategies.

The heightened threat perception, including attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen and tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, underscored the need for enhanced regional defense capabilities.