The Arab League Contemplates a Joint Force

Arab nations have taken a significant step that will influence the security of the wider region. On March 25, the Arab League announced plans to assemble a new joint Arab intervention force to respond to internal and external threats to league member states. Structural and leadership details will be finalized in Cairo at the end of April, but initial details released by Defense News show the joint force will be based in Egypt and consist of around 40,000 troops, larger than the NATO Response Force. The bulk of the troops will come from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco with a Saudi general in command. Forces from Jordan, Sudan and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will be incorporated as well. Most members are in favor of the proposal.

The combined force would give the league the theoretical capability to deploy a flexible rapid reaction force to crisis areas. This capability will be essential, especially because of the U.S. rebalance and emerging accommodation with Iran. The Arab League force, however, would be hastily drawn from several countries, each with its own interests and imperatives. Ultimately, the force will have limited use.