Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit 2025 Geopolitics, Sovereignty and Security in the Middle East.  

What is it?

On 15 September 2025, the summit will be hosted in Doha, Qatar, with representatives of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This is because the meeting was called as a result of an Israeli airstrike in Qatar that occurred during a meeting of Hamas leaders and, allegedly, some officials, including a Qatari officer. It is largely termed by the strike being a violation of Qatari sovereignty.

The summit is notable not only in its precondition but also in what it presupposes: the changes in regional relations and the orientation of the Arab world toward U.S. security assurances and provisions.

Some of the threads are applicable to get an insight into the relevance of this summit.

Gaza War & Israeli- Palestinian Conflict.

This is not a new battle, and the Israelis have been busy waging war against Gaza and other parts of the areas under their intense international monitoring. The attacks, ceasefire and meditations also go on at a regular rate. Qatar has always been a resort to mediation/reliable negotiator, and the Israeli strike in Doha took away that status.

Qatar’s Position

Qatar has attempted to balance by hosting moderators, as an international conference centre, and as a passage through Qatar. Any attack on its soil undermines the claims of Qatar on the matter of security and brings into question the System of Guarantees.

US Role and Perception

The US is widely regarded as a security provider in Gulf countries. In case it is not able to prevent or anticipate violations through its protection, the Gulf nations might consider minimising their dependence. The phenomenon has prompted talks about Gulf powers identifying new security allies.

Wikipedia

Regional Realignments

The Arab and Islamic nations are becoming more conscious of sovereignty and the injustices, and the functioning of the regional security setup. They have been developing an increased kind of assertiveness. Arab League and OIC summits prove that group declarations should not be underestimated.

The law of sovereign and international law.

Under international law, cross-border strikes pose acute questions regarding sovereignty, the right of a state to defend itself, and the need to utilise Facebook negotiation. Another point they make concerns the necessity to avoid cases of military interventions that are unilateral and violate the airspace of other states.

Recent Developments

The strike at Doha occasioned an unprecedented Arab-Islamic summit at Doha. It was a meeting of delegates aimed at denouncing the strike and investigating the mandates that they are sacrificing in the pursuit of securing the Gulf states.

Most of the draft papers at the summit condemned the actions of Israel, lamented the breach of sovereignty and cast doubt on the credibility of the U.S in preserving Gulf security.

A number of powers in the Gulf are purportedly considering another security alliance or partnership, including that of Turkey and China, to minimise overdependence on the traditional allies.

Significance for UPSC

This issue is closely related to the UPSC curriculum:

• GS Paper II The role of sovereignty, diplomacy, bilateral and multiple relationships, and the dominion of regional organisations (Arab League, OIC).
• GS Paper II / III, 2017, security issues, foreign policy, national interest, and strategic autonomy.
• Ethics / Essay Papers. Justice, equity, and human rights; the principles of international law; the rights of the small state, warring against diplomacy and realpolitik.

Implications

Regional Security  

In case Gulf states perceive weak U.S guarantees, they can diversify allies, allocate funds on self-deterrence, or change policy affiliations. There is an escalation potential provided the states retaliate militarily or Israel carries out additional cross-border attacks.

Diplomatic Repercussions

Neighbour countries might tie up, a point that would have an impact on peace negotiations over Palestine/Gaza and the involvement of the UN court or another international institution in case some countries take legal actions against each other.

Changes in World power perception.

Currently, U.S. influence can decline, as it may be perceived to be powerless to stop offences, whereas China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran can increase the presence of their diplomatic missions in the area

There will be effects on India and other external players.

Developments in India should be observed; the connection it has with the Gulf states in terms of energy security, diasporas, trade, etc., matters. The Indian strategic autonomy policy can influence their reaction. The emergency could pose a threat to international trade transport paths (Red Sea) and oil and gas supplies.

International Law & Norms  

The case concerns the issue of sovereignty, the liability of states in extraterritorial attacks, and the responsibility of states. It seeks to determine whether norms of airspace violations are going to be watered down or not.

Difficulties and Dilemmas.  

As the Gulf states seek other European countries to offer assurances other than the U.S., the problem of trading one patron with another country, China or Turkey, raises new problems and costs, such as dependence and political debtors.

Whether to appear strong and face the danger of a lash back or rather approach ruin is a question of dilemma.

A high level of internal cohesion among Arab and Islamic States is a challenge because different member states are strategically oriented to different things, and they are exposed to specific vulnerabilities.

Possible UPSC Questions  

Evaluation of the effect of the Arab Ultrasonic extraordinary summit in Doha on the Gulf security mechanism. What can be the potential balance of power in West Asia as a result of this?

What are the threats to state sovereignty in extraterritorial military operations? Debate in relation to the Israeli airstrike in Doha.

Considering the most recent developments in the Middle East, assess how the Gulf states care to balance old security alliances with the new ones following the emergence of the new geopolitics.

What is the application of the concept of strategic autonomy to small cut medium states of conflict zones? Discuss based on the example of Qatar and how it reacted to being hit by an airstrike in 2025.  

Potential Preliminary points/questions to consider.

– Are they members of the Arab League and/or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?

– UN Charter articles referring to the sovereignty of states, self-defence, and other norms of international law.

– The history of Qatar-U.S. price coordination in defence, U.S. military incidents in the Gulf, and alliances.

– There were precedents and previous cases of airspace violation/ cross-border strikes in the region.

Conclusion