24.10.2026 20:50
Khalid al-Jabir, Executive Director of the Qatar-based Middle East Global Relations Council, said that the Mecca Alliance formed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan could expand in the coming period and transform into a regional structure. Noting that Qatar could be among the first countries to join such a formation, Jabir stated that Bahrain and Kuwait also viewed the initiative positively.
Khalid al-Jaber, Executive Director of the Qatar-based think tank Middle East Council on Global Relations, assessed the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the Mecca Agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Gulf countries' security partnership with the US, and Israeli officials' statements targeting Qatar.
“I THINK QATAR WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE MECCA ALLIANCE” Al-Jaber assessed the Mecca Agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as an important step in terms of developing a common approach to regional threats.
Noting that Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait welcomed this initiative, al-Jaber said: “Ensuring coordination among the region's three major countries—Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan—developing a common view of threats, and converging on security and stability are important. This is a step that deserves support and follow-up.”
Emphasizing that the agreement could expand in the future with the participation of other countries, al-Jaber said, “I think that if the umbrella created by the Mecca Alliance expands in the future and turns into a regional structure, Qatar will be among the first countries to join.”
Al-Jaber said he viewed positively Egypt's show of solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, and stated that the support given especially against threats originating from Iran-backed Houthis could pave the way for broader regional cooperation initiatives.
Al-Jaber mentioned that a more comprehensive cooperation network bringing together the Mecca Alliance and Arab and Gulf countries could emerge.
“IF THE US AND IRAN CANNOT RECONCILE, WAR COULD START AGAIN” Pointing out that the region has been in uncertainty for some time, al-Jaber used the expressions, “We are in neither war nor peace between the US and Iran. If the US and Iran cannot reconcile, war could start again.”
Regarding the mediation efforts initially carried out by Pakistan and later joined by Qatar, al-Jaber stated that the parties maintaining their current positions makes a solution more difficult.
Al-Jaber, who also carries out work in the fields of political communication and public diplomacy with Gulf countries, continued his words as follows: “The parties insist on their own views and use the cards they hold. The US continues to insist on the conditions it has set out. Iran's most important cards are the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the use of militia groups affiliated with it.”
Arguing that the Houthis' inclusion in the process and the obstruction of the movement of ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait further aggravate the situation, al-Jaber stated that actors in the region are worn down politically, militarily, in security terms and economically.
Al-Jaber said that Gulf countries are facing serious difficulties in oil and liquefied natural gas transportation, and warned that the escalation of tension and the involvement of other parties in the conflict could enlarge the crisis.
“I THINK THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US WILL CONTINUE” Answering the question about how the recent conflicts have affected confidence in US security guarantees, al-Jaber shared his view that the strategic partnership between the Gulf countries and Washington will continue.
Noting that this relationship has a history of about half a century, al-Jaber said that regional countries benefit significantly from the defense and security systems provided by the US.
Al-Jaber made the assessment, “Despite all the criticism regarding the way this war has been handled, compared with China, Russia and other actors, the US remains the greatest guarantor of regional security.”
Arguing that although China is among the countries most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, it has not been able to exert decisive weight in stopping the war, al-Jaber emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts.
Al-Jaber stated that the US and Iran must accept that resolving the crisis and ending the war is in everyone's interest.
Khalid al-Jaber ISRAELI OFFICIALS' STATEMENTS TARGETING QATAR As for Israeli officials' statements targeting Qatar, al-Jaber linked the statements to the election agenda in Israel.
Al-Jaber said, “I do not think these have any value. They are statements connected to the elections in Israel. Israelis are trying to attack Qatar through their rhetoric.”
Stating that Qatar's position on the Palestinian cause and regional issues is clear, al-Jaber drew attention to Doha's mediation role regarding the war in Gaza and the prisoners.
Al-Jaber stated that Qatar has demonstrated its mediation capacity in other files as well as Gaza, and added that the Israeli officials' statements are not of a nature to be taken seriously.
The Qatar-based independent think tank Middle East Council on Global Relations conducts research on political, security and socioeconomic developments in the Middle East and North Africa.