The Kingdom... The Shield of the Gulf

Over the past months, the Arab Gulf states have been subjected to unjust aggression, whether from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps or from militias and terrorist groups that directed their hostility toward the Gulf states. Meanwhile, our Gulf countries have consistently sought regional security and stability, always extending a hand of goodwill, peace, reconciliation, and dialogue among the parties to the conflict. Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia suffered unjust aggression from militias and groups originating in neighboring countries. However, as always, and like all Gulf states, the Kingdom has proven impervious to those wishing it harm, steadfast in the face of aggression, and unyielding. It consistently affirms its role as a stabilizing force for the region, safeguarding energy security and economic stability.

Here, we must first commend the role the Kingdom has long played in recent years in ensuring Gulf regional security, alongside its economic development and its diplomatic efforts, which have been widely recognized, particularly during the recent regional crisis. Second, we must praise its swift response to events, evident in its readiness to sign a joint defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan. This agreement, concluded just days ago, demonstrates the Kingdom’s rapid reaction to developments, its strategic and security-oriented thinking, and its recognition that current security challenges demand new regional alliances and partnerships capable of enhancing defense systems, military cooperation, and intelligence sharing. Notably, the agreement is based on the principle of collective defense, stipulating that any aggression against one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all, sending a clear message that security is no longer a unilateral responsibility but a shared, collective one.

The significance of this agreement should not be viewed solely within the context of its three signatories; rather, it represents the nucleus of a broader security system that could expand in the future. The Kingdom, which has consistently proven itself as the custodian of the Gulf states and their first line of defense, can further develop this agreement. It could serve as an initiative for other Gulf states to join, forming a more comprehensive and expansive defense framework against any potential aggression, thereby strengthening defenses, harmonizing military training, and building collective capacity to confront threats. Moreover, it would act as a deterrent, as any aggression would face repeated resistance from a security system encompassing multiple nations.

Through its recent, carefully considered, and strategic steps, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its understanding that security requires more than reactive measures; establishing regional security and stability necessitates institutions and alliances capable of proactive deterrence. Today’s concept of security has evolved; it is no longer merely about military expenditure but represents a strategic investment in the region’s stability and future. All Gulf states require growing defensive partnerships with influential regional powers to build a comprehensive and sustainable Gulf security project.

In this context, it is appropriate to reiterate that the security of the Kingdom is the security of Kuwait. The solidarity between the two countries and their brotherly peoples has always been steadfast, as evidenced by history and shared positions. Any harm to the Kingdom, God forbid, affects Kuwait, and vice versa. This has been consistently affirmed by the leaderships of both nations throughout their shared history. The Kingdom has always been a neighbor of prosperity, whose presence Kuwait relies upon for security, while Kuwait has always stood firmly as a supporter and ally of its sister state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.