In a notable shift in Middle Eastern military dynamics, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have joined Israeli and U.S. forces in participating in the ongoing multinational air exercise, Iniochos 2025, at the Andravida Air Base in Greece. This development marks a significant step in the evolving relationships between Arab nations and Israel, as regional tensions continue to escalate, particularly with Iran and its influence in the region.
The Iniochos 2025 exercise, which commenced on March 31 and runs until April 11, 2025, brings together a diverse coalition of military forces from across the globe, including France, Italy, Spain, and India. The participation of Qatar and the UAE, two key Arab nations, alongside Israel and the United States, highlights a deepening of military cooperation that was once considered unthinkable due to historical animosities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This joint exercise is significant for a variety of reasons, not least because of the unusual alliance formed between Israel and several Arab nations. Qatar, which has historically opposed normalization with Israel, is notably participating for the first time in this specific exercise alongside Israeli forces. While the two nations did engage in military cooperation during the U.S.-hosted Red Flag exercise in 2016, their direct collaboration has been limited until now. Qatar’s support for Palestinian factions and its role as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict had kept the country on the opposite side of formal ties with Israel.
However, with mounting pressures from regional security concerns, particularly involving Iran and its allies, Qatar’s participation in Iniochos 2025 could signal a shift in its foreign policy. While still opposed to formal normalization of relations with Israel, Qatar’s involvement could be seen as a practical step towards cooperation in defense matters, particularly given its hosting of a significant U.S. military presence.
The exercise itself is a large-scale operation that features a variety of aircraft and military personnel from several countries. The United States is contributing F-16 fighter jets along with KC-46 and KC-135 refueling aircraft, while Israel has deployed a G-550 aircraft. The UAE is providing Mirage 2000-9 jets, and Qatar has sent F-15 fighters, as confirmed by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).
The event is seen as an important opportunity for these nations to enhance their strategic partnerships, share military expertise, and improve combat readiness through realistic training exercises. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, the exercise aims to “enhance strategic partnerships, exchange expertise, and improve combat readiness.”
The participation of these countries, especially those from the Arab world, marks a significant realignment in military cooperation. It highlights the growing security ties between Arab states and Israel, driven in large part by shared concerns over regional instability, particularly in relation to Iran’s expanding influence in the Middle East.
The Middle East has long been a region marked by complex and often contradictory alliances, with Arab states traditionally aligning themselves against Israel due to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, in recent years, the geopolitical landscape has shifted. The UAE, for example, has already signed the historic Abraham Accords in 2020, normalizing relations with Israel and paving the way for military and diplomatic cooperation between the two nations. Other Arab nations, such as Bahrain, have followed suit.
These changes are driven by a variety of factors, including the growing influence of Iran, whose actions in Yemen and elsewhere have raised alarms in the Gulf. The United States, under the Biden administration, has also been focused on strengthening its alliances with Gulf countries, facilitating weapons sales, and engaging in military strikes against Iranian-backed groups, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The military exercise in Greece is seen as a direct response to these regional dynamics. With Iran’s increasing involvement in conflicts across the region, including its support for militant groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, the Arab states and Israel are finding common ground in their shared concerns about Tehran’s influence. The UAE, in particular, has sought to strengthen its defense posture in the face of Iranian aggression, which has prompted it to build closer ties with Israel and the U.S.
Qatar’s role in the region has been particularly complicated. Despite its historical opposition to Israel, Qatar has been a key player in mediating peace talks, especially between Israel and Hamas, and has served as a vital intermediary in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The country’s relationship with the U.S. has been strong, largely due to its hosting of a large U.S. military base, which serves as a hub for operations in the Middle East.
Qatar’s participation in the Iniochos exercise, however, suggests that its foreign policy is evolving. While it continues to support Palestinian factions, the growing security threats in the region—particularly from Iran and its proxies—are prompting a reevaluation of its position. Although Qatar has not yet signed the Abraham Accords and formalized its relationship with Israel, its military collaboration in this exercise could be seen as a practical step toward cooperation in addressing common threats.
The collaboration between Arab nations, Israel, and the U.S. in Iniochos 2025 represents a broader trend in the region’s shifting alliances. For years, Arab states have largely resisted overt cooperation with Israel, but the rising threat of Iran and the increasing instability in the region have prompted a reassessment of these longstanding policies.
The growing military cooperation between Israel and Arab states could eventually lead to more formal alliances in the future. If these collaborations continue to deepen, it could lead to a major shift in the region’s power dynamics, with Israel and its Arab neighbors working together more closely in matters of security and defense.
