In the wake of the Israeli airstrike on Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9, 2025, which prompted an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar today, the Arab world’s security dynamics appear to be undergoing a profound transformation. This unprecedented attack on Qatari soil has galvanized Arab and Muslim leaders to condemn Israel’s actions and explore new pathways for regional defense, signaling a potential pivot away from traditional Western alliances toward self-reliant, intra-regional security frameworks. As the Middle East navigates ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, questions abound: Is the era of heavy U.S. military involvement waning? Are non-Arab powerhouses like Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt stepping into the void? And what role does Saudi Arabia play in escalating pressure on Israel?
Are Arab Nations Actively Phasing Out American Military Presence?
The U.S. has long been a cornerstone of Arab security, with bases scattered across the Gulf, Iraq, and Syria bolstering counter-terrorism and deterrence efforts. However, 2025 has witnessed tangible steps toward reducing this presence, driven by Arab leaders’ growing desire for strategic autonomy amid frustrations over U.S. policies on Gaza and Iran.
In Iraq, the U.S. announced a redeployment from key bases like Ain al-Asad and Victoria in August 2025, framing it as a “tactical shift” rather than a full exit, yet it marks a significant drawdown of approximately 2,500 troops. Similarly, in Syria, the U.S. scaled back operations in June 2025, withdrawing from seven of eight bases in Deir ez-Zor province and retaining only one operational site, citing stabilized counter-ISIS efforts. This aligns with broader trends: U.S. personnel in the region dipped by 15% in the first half of 2025 amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, prompting a reevaluation of “mission creep.”
Arab countries are indeed accelerating efforts to minimize U.S. reliance. Egypt, notably free of U.S. bases, has backed initiatives alongside Iran to “expel” American forces, viewing them as liabilities in intra-Arab disputes. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have quietly negotiated base lease reductions, while Qatar—host to the massive Al Udeid Air Base—faced an Iranian missile strike there in June 2025, fueling calls for diversified security partnerships. At today’s Doha summit, leaders reiterated demands for a U.S. timeline on full withdrawal from Iraq by September 2026, emphasizing that Arab states must “own their destiny” in a post-American era. This isn’t outright expulsion but a calculated diversification, as evidenced by strengthened ties with China and Russia for arms and intelligence.
Will Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt Safeguard Arab Security?
As U.S. influence wanes, the spotlight turns to robust non-Arab Muslim-majority nations—Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt—as potential architects of Arab security. The 2025 landscape suggests a resounding yes: these countries are increasingly positioned as pillars of a nascent “Islamic NATO,” especially following the Doha summit where foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey underscored “solidarity among Arab and Islamic states.”
Egypt, as a frontline Arab power, revived its 2015 proposal for a NATO-style joint security force at the summit, aiming to counter Israeli “aggression” in Gaza and Qatar. Iranian calls for an “Islamic NATO” explicitly involving Egypt have gained traction, with Cairo hosting bilateral defense talks with Pakistan in July 2025 to enhance joint patrols in the Red Sea. Turkey, leveraging its NATO membership and drone warfare prowess, signed defense pacts with Saudi Arabia in August 2025 to combat militant groups, positioning itself as a bridge between Arab states and Eurasian powers. Pakistan, with its nuclear deterrent and expeditionary experience, discussed “strengthening defense cooperation” with Egypt just weeks ago, vowing unity against the Gaza crisis.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) activated its joint defense pact at the summit, explicitly inviting Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt to lead multinational task forces for maritime security and counter-terrorism. Pakistan’s foreign minister urged an “Arab-Islamic task force” to curb Israeli “expansionist designs,” while Turkey’s involvement signals a thaw in historical tensions with Egypt and Syria. This trilateral axis isn’t just rhetorical; joint exercises in the Arabian Sea and intelligence-sharing on ISIS remnants underscore their emerging role in stabilizing the Arab region.
Arab Leaders’ Confidence in Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt’s Military Prowess
Sources from the Doha summit and bilateral summits reveal unequivocal confidence among Arab leaders in the military leadership of Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, viewing them as reliable alternatives to faltering Western partnerships. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised their “unwavering commitment” during trilateral talks, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighted their “proven track record” in high-stakes operations. This trust stems from historical collaborations—Pakistan’s training of Gulf forces, Turkey’s mediation in Syria, and Egypt’s border security expertise—and is amplified by 2025’s geopolitical flux.
According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, these forces rank among the world’s elite, boasting vast manpower, advanced tech, and battle-hardened experience:
- Turkey (Ranked 9th, Power Index: 0.1902): With a total population of 84 million, Turkey fields 355,200 active personnel and 378,700 reserves, supported by 150,000 paramilitary forces. Its land forces include 2,238 tanks (1,679 ready) and over 61,000 armored vehicles, while airpower features a robust fleet of fighters and attack helicopters. Navally, 182 assets, including 13 submarines and a helicopter carrier, project power in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Turkey’s indigenous drone program (e.g., Bayraktar TB2) and NATO interoperability make it a versatile ally for Arab maritime defense.
- Pakistan (Ranked 12th): Pakistan’s military, with 654,000 active troops and 550,000 reserves, is a nuclear-armed powerhouse tailored for expeditionary roles. It excels in land strength with 3,742 tanks and 9,529 artillery pieces, plus a growing air force of 1,434 aircraft, including 357 fighters. Naval assets total 114, with 8 submarines for Gulf patrols. Arab leaders value Pakistan’s counter-insurgency expertise from Afghanistan and its willingness to deploy contingents, as seen in past Yemen operations.
- Egypt (Ranked 19th): Boasting the largest Arab army at 440,000 active personnel and 479,000 reserves, Egypt dominates regionally with 4,664 tanks—the most in Africa and the Middle East—and 10,000+ armored vehicles. Its airpower includes 1,069 aircraft (215 fighters), and naval fleet of 245 assets secures the Suez Canal. Egypt’s U.S.-trained forces and Rafale jets position it as the Arab world’s “shield,” with leaders citing its role in Sinai operations as a model for joint Arab security.
These rankings, based on over 60 factors like logistics and finances, underscore why Arab states see this trio as credible guarantors.
Saudi Stance on Israel:
Saudi Arabia’s rhetoric against Israel has intensified in 2025, particularly post-Doha strike, but evidence points to targeted economic pressure rather than a blanket ban on Israeli transportation means.
At the summit, Saudi representatives joined calls for “sanctions on Israel and a ban on the sale of weapons,” urging a review of all ties with Tel Aviv. This follows August 2025 denials by the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) of transporting U.S. weapons to Israel, amid global scrutiny of vessels like the Bahri Yanbu blocked in Italy. Riyadh has suspended indirect trade routes and airspace permissions for Israeli flights since the Gaza escalation, but no official ban on all transportation—air, sea, or land—has been enacted.
Instead, Saudi Arabia’s approach is multifaceted: It allowed Israeli overflights during the June 2025 Iran conflict but now prioritizes Arab unity, potentially closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping if tensions boil over. Vision 2030 diversification reduces reliance on U.S.-Israel tech, signaling a broader decoupling without outright bans.
A New Era of Arab Security:
Yes, the security dynamics in the Arab world have undeniably changed in 2025—from U.S. retrenchment to the ascent of Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt as security linchpins, and Saudi-led pushes against Israel. The Doha summit’s final communique, condemning the “treacherous” attack and pledging collective defense, encapsulates this shift toward a more autonomous, unified front. As militant threats evolve and great-power rivalries intensify, these changes promise a more balanced, though volatile, regional order. For stakeholders, the key lies in translating rhetoric into actionable alliances, ensuring the Arab world charts its own secure future.
