Middle East upheaval casts shadow over 'Arab NATO'
A regional military exercise hosted by Egypt excludes Qatar in a blow to anti-Iran unity.
The two-week-long Shield of the Arabs I exercise that started in Egypt on Saturday brings together troops and advisers from eight Arab nations in a glimpse of the joint strength of the region’s most powerful militaries.
But the simulation also underscores the political divisions fragmenting a unified front against Iran even as the Donald Trump administration resumes hard-hitting sanctions against Tehran this week. Qatar is excluded from the joint exercise with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Advisers from Lebanon and Morocco will also participate.
