The power map of the Middle East has shifted once again. Turkey,\nSaudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defence pact in Mecca on 7\nAugust 2026, which contains the principle that an armed attack against\none country will be considered an attack against all three.<\/p>\n
The agreement, known as the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, was signed\nby Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed\nbin Salman (MBS), and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. What is\nbehind it?<\/p>\n
Citing RT on Tuesday (11\/8\/2026), the pact has triggered the label\n\u2018Islamic NATO\u2019 because it has a collective defence principle reminiscent\nof the NATO defence alliance mechanism. However, the three countries\nhave not officially referred to the agreement as an \u2018Islamic NATO\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018For Turkey, this agreement is not merely military cooperation. The\npact opens space for Ankara to expand its influence in the Middle East\nwhile strengthening its bargaining position amid the changing\ngeopolitical map of the region,\u2019 wrote Mishel Bychkova, Deputy Director\nof the Moscow Middle East Centre.<\/p>\n
Turkey has one of the largest military forces in the region and is a\nNATO member. The country has also aggressively developed its defence\nindustry in recent years, from drones to weapons systems and\nwarships.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has financial strength and a strategic\nposition in the Gulf region. Pakistan adds another dimension because it\nhas a large military and nuclear capability.<\/p>\n
\u2018The combination of these three forces creates an interesting mix:\nTurkey\u2019s military capability and defence industry, Saudi Arabia\u2019s\nfinancial strength, and Pakistan\u2019s military capacity,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n
Not Necessarily Leaving NATO<\/p>\n
Particularly for Turkey, Bychkova\u2019s analysis continues, this\nagreement does not mean Turkey is leaving NATO. On the contrary, Ankara\ncan use the new cooperation to expand its room for manoeuvre.<\/p>\n
Turkey remains within the NATO security system, but at the same time\nis building a new defence network with countries outside the Western\nalliance. This step is in line with President Erdogan\u2019s approach, which\nfor years has sought to maintain relations with various centres of world\npower.<\/p>\n
\u2018Turkey still has strategic relations with Western countries, but\nalso maintains communication with Russia and Iran, as well as\nstrengthening relations with Gulf countries,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n
\u2018With the Mecca pact, Ankara has the opportunity to play a greater\nrole in determining the direction of Middle East security without fully\ndepending on Washington,\u2019 she explained.<\/p>\n
Turkish Weapons as Capital<\/p>\n
One of Turkey\u2019s greatest assets in this cooperation is its defence\nindustry. Turkish defence products have developed into an important\ninstrument of Ankara\u2019s diplomacy. Defence relations with Saudi Arabia,\nfor example, have included industrial cooperation and technology\ntransfer.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia itself is seeking to reduce its dependence on Western\narms suppliers and build a domestic defence industry. This situation\ncreates mutually complementary interests.<\/p>\n
Turkey needs markets and investment to expand its defence industry,\nwhile Saudi Arabia needs technology and production capability to\nstrengthen its military industry. Pakistan adds another strategic\ndimension through its military experience and long-standing defence\nrelations with Turkey and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
\u2018However, the pact does not automatically mean the three countries\nare forming a single integrated military force. Its impact will depend\nheavily on how far the cooperation is translated into joint exercises,\nintelligence sharing, defence planning, and defence industry\nintegration,\u2019 she explained.<\/p>\n
Israel and Iran in Focus<\/p>\n
According to Bychkova, the emergence of this new axis comes as the\nMiddle East faces rising tensions. Turkey\u2019s relations with Israel have\ndeteriorated in recent years.<\/p>\n
Ankara has become increasingly vocal in criticising Israeli policy.\nMeanwhile, the interests of the two countries have begun to intersect in\nSyria.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Iran is also an important factor. Turkey has\neconomic and diplomatic relations with Tehran, but the two countries\nalso compete for influence in several areas, including Syria, Iraq and\nthe Caucasus region.<\/p>\n
\u2018Therefore, the Mecca pact cannot automatically be called an\nanti-Iran or anti-Israel alliance,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan even stressed that the agreement is defensive in nature and\nopen to other countries. Egypt is mentioned as one of the countries that\ncould potentially join, although it is not yet part of the current\nagreement.<\/p>\n
The Middle East Begins to Build Its Own Strength<\/p>\n
Furthermore, this agreement shows the desire of regional countries to\nhave more options in security affairs. Saudi Arabia has for decades been\nheavily dependent on the United States\u2019 security umbrella.<\/p>\n
\u2018However, increasing conflict in the region has made Riyadh seek\nadditional layers of security,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
Turkey offers military strength and defence technology. Pakistan\noffers military experience and a strategic position in South Asia. Saudi\nArabia provides economic strength and access to markets and capital.<\/p>\n
\u2018For Ankara, this combination can become capital to transform its\nmilitary power into greater political influence,\u2019 she explained.<\/p>\n
Therefore, although it is too early to call the Mecca pact an\n\u2018Islamic NATO\u2019 in the true sense, the agreement clearly shows the\nemergence of a new security architecture driven more by regional\ncountries. If this cooperation continues to develop, Turkey will not\nonly be a NATO member on the European side, but could also emerge as one\nof the main players in shaping a new security order in the Middle\nEast.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/turkey-saudi-arabia-and-pakistan-forge-islamic-nato-defence-pact-1786409471", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }