In a secure operations center in Doha earlier this year, U.S. Air Force cyber specialists sat alongside Gulf officers, tracing simulated network intrusions across glowing screens. The scene—part of Eagle Resolve 2025, a joint cybersecurity drill involving the United States, Saudi Arabia and other regional militaries—offered a glimpse into Washington’s expanding cyber alliances in the Middle East. This unprecedented cooperation underscores how the U.S. has quietly ramped up cybersecurity partnerships with key allies to fortify vital networks, counter espionage, and build regional cyber defense capacity.
American officials say these efforts are part of a broader strategy to bolster allies against growing cyber perils. With Saudi Arabia, cooperation has recently taken the form of formal agreements and intelligence sharing. In 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department and the UAE’s Cyber Security Council finalized a cybersecurity pact focused on safeguarding the financial sector and the integrity of the international financial system.
Israel has also moved into closer alignment with U.S. cyber forces. During the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023, U.S. Cyber Command teams supported efforts to bolster the cyber defenses of Israel and other regional partners. In Jordan, the two countries convened a high-level cyber dialogue in March 2024 to expand joint efforts, resulting in new partnerships for cyber training and infrastructure protection.
A central goal of these alliances is protecting critical infrastructure—the power grids, oil facilities, financial networks, and government systems that underpin national security. The U.S.-UAE cyber accord prioritizes defending the financial sector. In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, attention is focused on the energy and petrochemical infrastructure that has long been a prime target for hostile cyber actors. Regional initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s CyberIC program dovetail with U.S. cooperation to foster local expertise and reinforce digital infrastructure.
Capacity-building is another pillar of the strategy. Washington has invested in training local cyber defenders so Middle Eastern partners can handle threats directly. In Jordan, U.S. agencies are supporting cyber education, from sponsoring coding courses to partnerships with the National Cyber Security Center. American military cyber advisors, including National Guard units, embed with allies to mentor them on malware hunting and network monitoring.
These partnerships are reinforced through joint exercises. In January, Eagle Resolve 2025 in Qatar brought together cyber protection teams from all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Over two weeks, participants ran simulations to practice identifying intrusions and deploying countermeasures. The U.S. has also conducted exclusive cyber exercises with Israel. Cyber Dome IX, held in late 2024, was a two-week drill with U.S. Cyber Command and the Israeli Defense Forces, simulating cyber warfare scenarios.
Cyber defense is now also integrated into multilateral military drills. Exercise Eager Lion 2024 in Jordan involved cyber defense training for the first time, as troops rehearsed coordinated responses to digital sabotage of critical national infrastructure. U.S. planners note that cyber defense has become a crucial component in the evolving battlespace.
Although U.S.–Middle Eastern cyber cooperation serves multiple purposes, a common driver is the escalating threat from Iran’s cyber units. Iranian state-backed hackers have been caught spying on Gulf governments, stealing data, and attempting to sabotage industrial control systems. The Biden administration’s cybersecurity strategy highlights Iran as a major digital adversary. Recent incidents include thousands of cyberattacks targeting Israeli and Gulf government and financial systems during the Israel-Hamas war.
These threats have galvanized regional cyber alliances. The Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states mention cooperation against cyber threats, with cyberspace becoming a key front. Gulf countries see Israel as an advanced cyber partner, while Israel gains new strategic depth. The U.S. has encouraged this emerging cyber coalition as complementary to its own regional cybersecurity efforts.
U.S. military cyber units are increasingly embedded with traditional forces in the region. U.S. Cyber Command routinely supports CENTCOM missions by deploying cyber teams and sharing real-time threat intelligence. Every major combatant command plan now assumes a contested cyberspace, with cyber warriors working alongside allies to harden communications and infrastructure before crises erupt.
The State Partnership Program, linking U.S. National Guard units with foreign militaries, has proven particularly effective. The West Virginia National Guard’s cyber team played a lead role in Eagle Resolve 2025.
U.S. Cyber Command has also expanded its international footprint through “hunt forward” missions—defensive cyber operations carried out at a partner nation’s invitation. Over the past five years, American hunt-forward teams have deployed to 24 countries. These missions often uncover new malware, strengthening global cyber resilience.
As the Pentagon integrates cyber defense into its Middle East strategy, these alliances are expected to deepen. More joint drills are planned, and more cyber analysts and defensive infrastructure will be shared. American defense planners describe it as building a regional “collective cyber shield”—one that protects oil refineries, financial institutions, and government systems from digital threats.
Though the U.S. has reduced its traditional military footprint in the Middle East, it is effectively reasserting its presence through cyberspace. The message to adversaries is clear: a breach of one ally’s network could provoke a coordinated regional response. In an era defined by digital warfare, the U.S. and its Middle East allies are fortifying their defenses—together.
