Nato Parliamentary Chief Advocates for Stronger Middle East Alliances Amid Global Instability

Marcos Perestrello, president of the Nato Parliamentary Assembly, has emphasized the critical need for enhanced partnerships between Nato and Middle Eastern nations to bolster security. Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Perestrello highlighted the interconnectedness of security in Europe and the Middle East, stating, “We live in a world where nobody can stand alone, so we need to deepen the co-operation and partnerships with our friends.” He noted that turmoil in one region significantly impacts the other, drawing parallels between the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.

Perestrello’s visit to Abu Dhabi aimed to assess the regional security landscape and the UAE's role. He commended the UAE as a model of “reaction and resilience,” particularly for its defense against Iranian attacks. During the height of the conflict, Iran retaliated against US-Israeli strikes by targeting Gulf neighbors with ballistic missiles and drones. The UAE faced over 550 ballistic missiles and 2,265 drones, with most being intercepted.

Despite the differences between the Ukraine and Iran conflicts, Perestrello pointed out shared lessons in defense and warfare, noting the use of Iranian-designed Shahed drones by Russia in Ukraine and by Iran against Gulf states. Ukrainian specialists were subsequently deployed to the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to share expertise on countering drone attacks, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offering interceptor drones. “Both Ukraine and the UAE are a field of lessons learnt on this kind of new conflict, with new instruments of war, that can and should be shared in a way that we can defend better next time,” Perestrello stated. He believes Nato can also learn valuable lessons from these experiences.

To strengthen these ties, Perestrello suggested enhancing the Istanbul Co-operation Initiative, a framework established in 2004 for Nato's engagement with Gulf partners like the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. He suggested that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could serve as a catalyst for developing this initiative further. Meetings between Nato members and Gulf partners on the sidelines of the Ankara summit have already led to projects focused on maritime security and counter-drone capabilities.

The consequences of the Iran conflict, now in its ninth month, extend globally, impacting energy markets and exacerbating pressures on Europe. The Russia-Ukraine war, approaching its fifth year, also poses challenges to Nato’s borders and readiness. Perestrello described Nato as “the strongest and most successful alliance in the history of mankind,” responsible for maintaining peace in Europe for nearly 80 years. However, he acknowledged the evolving security landscape on Nato’s borders.

In response to increased threats, including Russian drone incursions and hybrid attacks, Nato members have committed to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Perestrello expressed confidence that this target is achievable if the current pace of spending is maintained, noting that all member countries met the 2% defense spending target in 2025 and are increasing their contributions. “We are stronger than we have ever been before. And we are clear-eyed as we have never been before,” he concluded.