Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Form Defense Pact
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Form Defense Pact
The News
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have formed a new defense alliance, a move analysts say reflects growing doubt in the region about relying on US military power.
The pact, dubbed the "Mecca Defense Pact," was struck last week against the backdrop of a deadlocked Middle East war.
Analysts describe it as a direct backlash to Washington and the Trump administration.
Timeline
The three governments agreed to the defense alliance, according to Asia Times.
Coverage of the pact spread across outlets including The Dispatch, Asia Times and the Jerusalem Post.
Reactions
Cyril Widdershoven, a senior advisor at Blue Water Strategy, told the Jerusalem Post that "Gulf leadership increasingly doubts that US power is able actually to prevent missile attacks and drone warfare."
The Jerusalem Post framed the agreement as exposing "the limits of US military reliance."
Asia Times said the trio is "militarily moving on" from what it called a faltering US and Trump.
The Dispatch was more skeptical, arguing the pact "looks toothless" but warning that "doesn't mean it's harmless," and that it threatens to trigger a regional realignment.
What's Next
Analysts are watching whether the alliance produces concrete military cooperation or remains largely symbolic.
The bigger question is whether it accelerates a wider realignment in the Middle East and South Asia as US partners hedge their bets.
More
The alliance links two NATO-adjacent and Muslim-majority powers — Turkey and Pakistan — with the Gulf's wealthiest state, Saudi Arabia, a longtime US security partner. Any drift away from Washington carries stakes for American influence across two volatile regions.
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