Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Form a Mutual Defense Pact

A NATO-style collective security clause signed in Mecca puts three powers in the same corner — just as Iran's proxies ready their next move.

By The Defense Desk

[1]

The timing is pointed. [1] Saudi Arabia has already faced repeated strikes from Iran-backed forces this year, in the wake of the US-Israeli military campaign against Tehran. [1]

Pakistan's place in the pact carries particular weight. [2]

[1] Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the trilateral alliance was a "logical outgrowth of the deepening security ties" of the three nations. [1]

Whether ink on paper converts to boots on the ground is a different matter entirely. Alliances forged under pressure often reveal their fault lines only when tested.

Skeptics note the gap between declaration and action. H. A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, warned: "If Saudi [Arabia] were attacked by Iran tomorrow (entirely plausible), I doubt Riyadh would truly expect Ankara and Islamabad to treat it as an attack on them." [1] The pact is a signal — how loud it is when fired upon remains to be seen.

If Saudi [Arabia] were attacked by Iran tomorrow (entirely plausible), I doubt Riyadh would truly expect Ankara and Islamabad to treat it as an attack on them.H. A. Hellyer