Shifting sands: On the Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Joint Defence Agreement

The article discusses the 'Mecca Agreement,' a joint defense pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye in August 2026. This agreement reflects shared strategic anxieties and a shifting security architecture in West Asia, driven by a reduced U.S. strategic presence and ongoing regional conflicts involving Iran and Israel. The pact aims to bolster collective security and deterrence, treating an attack on one member as an attack on all. While the alliance appears formidable on paper due to the capabilities of its members (Pakistan's nuclear status, Saudi Arabia's economic influence, Türkiye's military industrial base), the article questions its immediate credibility and effectiveness as a deterrent, given that it was signed amidst ongoing conflicts.