On November 10, Gulf defence ministers approved the creation of a forward command in Kuwait under the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Unified Military Command. The move, which will see forces allocated to the new centre, is a concrete step toward Gulf states assuming a greater collective role in safeguarding their security.
Earlier, after meeting Qatar’s prime minister, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that “Iran militarily is effectively over.” He also reaffirmed the U.S. blockade and hinted at further military action, though he stopped short of announcing a definitive end to the conflict. Trump’s comments, while signalling a willingness to support diplomatic openings, did not resolve the underlying security challenges facing the region.
Experts argue that a lasting agreement would still leave many gaps. The Kuwait command’s effectiveness will hinge on its implementation and on how well it integrates with other regional security partnerships. The Gulf’s security landscape is shaped by multiple threats: Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, Israel’s September 2025 strike on Qatar, armed militias, terrorist groups, cyberattacks, maritime disruption, and the fallout from state failures in neighbouring areas.
Given this complexity, a layered and networked security architecture is deemed the most credible response. Gulf states are already moving in that direction, but the challenge now is to weave these arrangements into a cohesive, sustainable framework that can endure beyond the immediate pressures of war.
Layered Partnerships: From National to International
Layering begins with the recognition that different partnerships serve distinct purposes. National capabilities and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) cooperation form the foundation. The relationship with the United States remains central, while additional arrangements address needs that a single partner cannot meet.
Operational coordination is exemplified by the U.S. Central Command’s air and missile defence coordination cell opened at Al Udeid in January. The cell was designed to enhance regional coordination, share threat warnings, and prepare for contingencies.
Collective defence commitments have also expanded. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, establishes a collective defence commitment among its members. In October, the Badr memorandum was signed by Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia, outlining cooperation in defence manufacturing, research, and technical training.
These arrangements should be evaluated by the gaps they fill. Collective defence, operational coordination, and industrial capacity reinforce one another, but none can address every threat alone. A layered approach ensures that each partnership covers specific vulnerabilities while contributing to a broader, integrated security posture.
As Gulf states continue to refine their security architecture, the focus will be on ensuring that the Kuwait forward command operates seamlessly within this network. The goal is to create a resilient system that can adapt to evolving threats and maintain stability in a region where the erosion of international restraints on the use of force only heightens the difficulty of managing conflict.
Source: Al Jazeera
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Editorial note: This is an original news report prepared from the attributed source material with AI assistance. It is not a reproduction or translation of the original article.
