President Donald Trump has welcomed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, framing it as a sign of regional self-reliance. However, analysts question whether such pacts can truly replace the US security umbrella, given the Gulf states' structural dependence on Washington.

Aug 17, 2026

World

Mecca Pact: A Turning Point in Shaping a Post-American Middle East Security Architecture

The joint defense agreement signed in Mecca among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey marks an institutional step toward a new regional security architecture, following the U.S.-Iran war that exposed the limits of Washington-led order. The pact, which treats an attack on one as an attack on all, brings together three major Sunni military powers and signals a post-American Middle East centered on Saudi Arabia.

Aug 8, 2026