A New Nuclear Alliance? The Historic Agreement of Erdogan and bin Salman

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defense agreement today in Jeddah, against the backdrop of the war between the US and Iran. The alliance would combine Saudi economic power, the Turkish military, and Pakistan's nuclear capability, potentially reshaping the regional balance of power.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defense agreement today (Friday) in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to reports from Reuters and AFP. The agreement, which had been discussed for a long time, was accelerated by recent developments in the region, including the war between the United States and Iran. A source close to the Saudi government and military confirmed the matter to AFP, and two regional sources confirmed the timeline to Reuters. The current agreement is a continuation of the tightening relations between the countries. Last year, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense alliance, and Turkey joined the Riyadh-led maritime defense coalition at the end of July. The tripartite alliance combines Saudi Arabia's economic strength, Turkey's military might, and Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, and could reshape the regional balance of deterrence against Iran. The move comes against the backdrop of the war between Washington and Tehran, which has caused Gulf states severe disruptions in maritime trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.