The Middle East Has a New Saudi-Led Axis

A new regional coalition centered on Saudi Arabia has emerged in the Middle East in the aftermath of the Iran war, uniting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey outside the traditional Gulf Cooperation Council framework. The grouping reflects shifting regional alignments as Gulf states seek to rebuild after economic and security losses from the conflict, though the United Arab Emirates notably remains absent from the bloc. While members share common interests in regional cooperation, significant divisions persist over Iran policy and approaches to Israel normalization.