Islamic Nato taking shape? What Saudi-Pak-Turkey Mecca pact means for Iran & Israel
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral pact that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. The agreement aims to formalize strategic cooperation and collective deterrence in West Asia.
Why it matters
This significant geopolitical realignment could alter the balance of power in the Middle East and impact relations with Iran and Israel.
The signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on Friday marked one of the most significant strategic realignments in West Asia in recent years.The agreement reportedly commits the three countries to treat an armed attack on one member as an attack on all — a principle that immediately invited comparisons with Nato's Article 5.It also formalises a strategic triangle that combines Saudi Arabia's financial power, Turkey's advanced defence industry and Nato experience, and Pakistan's large military and nuclear capability.What is the Mecca deal?The mutual defence agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah.The deal states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack on all.
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