Qatari ex-PM urges creation of four-nation strategic defence bloc

Former Qatari prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani has called for the formation of a strategic defence alliance bringing together Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, describing it as an “urgent need” in light of shifting regional and international dynamics.

In a post published on the X platform, Sheikh Hamad said that the joint strategic defence agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025 — which Turkey may later join — represents “an important step to preserve the region and strengthen its stability, including its Arab and Muslim components”.

Al Thani added that the establishment of a Saudi-Pakistani-Turkish-Egyptian alliance “has long been, and remains, an urgent necessity to safeguard our interests and enhance our collective strength in the face of rapid changes in the policies of Western alliance countries, particularly the United States”.

He said it would be in the interest of Gulf states to join such an alliance without delay, noting that their smaller size makes collective security arrangements especially important.

Sheikh Hamad stressed that the proposed alliance should not be viewed as hostile towards Iran, describing it as “a major Muslim country”, and called instead for a framework based on balanced regional considerations.

He also emphasised the need for the alliance to rest on “sound principles and solid foundations” to ensure its durability and effectiveness, warning against repeating “the shortcomings of the 1990 Damascus Declaration”, which was issued hastily following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.

According to Sheikh Hamad, the alliance should adopt a comprehensive approach encompassing military, economic and political dimensions, and be guided by clear strategic objectives that serve all member states, not only during times of crisis but as a permanent and credible regional bloc.