Qatar and UAE Join US-Led Pax Silica AI Alliance
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica coalition to secure artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains through January 2026.
The Federal government of the United States expanded its Pax Silica initiative in January 2026, bringing Qatar and the United Arab Emirates into a strategic coalition designed to secure artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains. The alliance treats compute, silicon, minerals, and energy as shared strategic assets to reduce dependence on rival nations and mitigate coercive dependencies.
Qatar became the eighth signatory on January 12, 2026, in a ceremony signed by U.S. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg and Qatari Minister Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed. The United Arab Emirates followed on January 14, becoming the ninth member after Minister Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri signed the declaration. The coalition now includes Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The partnership focuses on a "coalition of capabilities" involving advanced manufacturing, 6G connectivity, edge infrastructure, and mineral refining. Specific projects include the Fort Foundry One industrial park in Israel and the modernization of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. This shift toward silicon diplomacy intends to transition Gulf economies away from hydrocarbon dependence toward technology-driven growth. India is scheduled to join the alliance in February 2026.
