Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
As conflict puts multiple maritime routes under pressure at once, the value of infrastructure is no longer measured by efficiency alone. Pipelines, railways and roads are increasingly important for the redundancy they provide when established trade routes fail.
The debate over the future of the regional order brings back to the fore the issue of American guarantees and the need for Arab cooperation that could transform shared interests into institutional and defensive capabilities.
The Mecca Joint Defense Alliance increases Islamabad’s strategic weight. However, its value will depend on whether Pakistan can defend Saudi Arabia, preserve channels with Iran, and keep the Gulf from becoming another theater of conflict with India.