The big picture
Israel’s recent attack on Qatar despite the presence of the massive Al Udeid Air Base demonstrates that American allies can no longer assume immunity from external threats, prompting Gulf states to reconsider their security arrangements and the value of Washington’s protection.
What she is saying:
Cinzia Bianco, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Al Jazeera that the attack revealed a new level of brazen behavior from Israel that surprised everyone.
She added that “no country can consider itself safe, and all options remain possible,” a realization with direct implications for other U.S. partners in the region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Bianco suggested that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states may need to unite and develop independent regional strategies to counter perceived threats, reducing reliance on U.S. security guarantees.
Go deeper
Israeli strikes on Hamas officials in Doha prompted widespread international condemnation, highlighting the heightened regional tensions and the vulnerabilities of states previously considered under U.S. protection.
M.Majdi - ahmad shirzadian
