H.R. 1385, the Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act, requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy for expanding membership in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA), a multilateral security framework established in September 2023. The bill mandates that within 180 days, these officials submit a report analyzing CSIPA's strategic benefits—including improved military readiness, economic cooperation, and regional stability—and identifying barriers to expanding membership among U.S. allies in the Middle East and beyond. Following the initial report, the Secretary of State has an additional 180 days to submit a concrete strategy outlining how the administration can recruit new members and strengthen the agreement, followed by an implementation plan within 60 days thereafter. The report and strategy must be provided to Congress in unclassified form, though classified information may be included separately. This legislation affects U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and involves coordination among multiple Congressional committees overseeing foreign affairs and defense matters.
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