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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Arab states may align with NATO against Iran

WASHINGTON — Arab states, particularly those in the Persian Gulf, could agree to an alliance with NATO as part of an effort to counter Iran's regional ambitions, according to a report.   

The Washington Institute said Gulf Cooperation Council and other Arab states were examining cooperation with NATO in military and security issues as part of a policy to bolster deterrence against a nuclear Iran. The report by visiting fellow Tariq Khaitous, said an Arab-NATO alliance could be an alternative to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, Middle East Newsline reported.

"Iran's Arab neighbors could seek a more active relationship with NATO as a whole in the event that Iran develops nuclear arms," the report, titled "Arab Reactions to a Nuclear-Armed Iran," said.

So far, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have joined NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, designed to increase military and security dialogue. Oman and Saudi Arabia were expected to join.


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"These states are seeking to use NATO to strengthen the stability and security of the region," the report said.

In 2006, Kuwait became the first GCC state to sign a military agreement with NATO. Two years later, the Kuwait Navy conducted an exercise in the Gulf with NATO forces that included attack training, anti-piracy maneuvers, as well as an air defense and firepower demonstration.

At the same time, Qatar and the UAE conducted a week-long military exercise with France. The exercise was designed to enhance combat capabilities of the two GCC states.

In 2008, the GCC also signed a military cooperation agreement with Turkey, with the second largest military in NATO. But the report said Ankara could be a reluctant military partner of the GCC against Iran, Turkey's neighbor and energy supplier.

"The involvement of NATO would not only benefit the Arab states, it would also facilitate cooperation between the United States and its European allies in addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions," the report said. "If NATO is used as an instrument to maintain security in the region, Washington's European allies could similarly play an important role in guarding against Iranian provocation."

Khaitous, a former staffer at the United Nations Disarmament Affairs Department, said a nuclear-armed Iran would spark an Arab conventional arms buildup in the Middle East as well as efforts to develop nuclear capabilities. He said Arab countries could also seek biological and chemical weapons unless the United States offfers security guarantees.

"No matter how much Arab states, particularly those in the Persian Gulf, spend on their militaries, they will probably seek support from Western powers to ensure their security," the report said. "The lack of military experience, modest population totals, and limited geographic size of most Arab countries near Iran mean that Gulf states will continue to seek out extra-regional security guarantors."



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