Joint Defense Agreement Between Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad Could Shift Middle East Strategic Balance, Report Says
The Jerusalem Post reports that the signing of a joint defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan has the potential to alter the strategic balance in the Middle East and impact regional security dynamics.
According to the newspaper, one day after the announcement of the agreement, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for the formation of a united military front against the Israeli regime, describing it as a threat to the Islamic world. The Jerusalem Post emphasized that Riyadh’s defense cooperation with countries whose senior officials identify Israel as a regional enemy may challenge the process of normalizing relations.
The report further states that, from Israel’s perspective, its interests lie in Saudi Arabia joining a U.S.-led regional security framework as soon as possible — a framework that also includes Israel and a number of Arab states.
The Jerusalem Post also urged Washington to closely monitor recent developments, especially the meeting held in Mecca. The newspaper believes Saudi Arabia’s inclination toward tighter cooperation with Ankara and Islamabad — with Pakistan being recognized as a nuclear power — could be seen as a sign of declining confidence in U.S. security guarantees.
The article concludes by noting that the U.S. should investigate why one of its most important Arab partners is seeking alternative security options and how to prevent the formation of a framework that, according to the report, takes a distinctly anti-Israel stance.
