Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act

This bill tells the U.S. Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of Defense, to create a report and plan to grow the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA). The first report is due within 180 days of the law taking effect and must explain how adding more countries could boost joint military readiness in the Middle East, strengthen economic ties, support science and technology work, and build stronger regional alliances. It also asks for a review of CSIPA’s role after Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea since October 7, 2023, and how the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain can help deter threats from Iran or others. The report must list long-term benefits, needed resources, barriers among allies, and areas for further cooperation. After that, a strategy to bring in more countries—both inside and outside the Middle East—is due 180 days later, followed by a briefing within 60 days. These materials should be unclassified, though a classified section is allowed.

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. State and Defense Departments; current and potential CSIPA member countries.
• What changes: Requires a detailed report and a follow-up strategy to expand CSIPA; analyzes benefits, recent security responses in the Red Sea, use of the Fifth Fleet, resource needs, barriers, and new areas of cooperation in commerce, science, and technology.
• When: Report due within 180 days after enactment; strategy due 180 days after the report; briefing due 60 days after the strategy; mostly unclassified with a possible classified section.