Saudi Arabia proved it knows how to sign agreements – but not how to use them

Saudi Arabia signed a series of security agreements over the past year, but remains exposed to Houthi attacks. The agreements with Pakistan, the US, and the "Mecca" alliance were not translated into actual military assistance. This week, the Houthis fired toward Taif, Jeddah, and Mecca, and the international response amounted to condemnation. The Arab world is questioning the value of the agreements if Saudi Arabia does not know how to use them.

Saudi Arabia signed three significant security agreements over the past year, but remains exposed to Houthi attacks from Yemen. The first agreement was signed in September 2025 with Pakistan, under which Saudi Arabia transferred $4 billion in exchange for weapons. Two months later, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed an agreement with the US at the White House, which included an American commitment to deepen arms assistance and approve the future sale of 300 tanks and F-35 jets, in exchange for favoring American companies in civilian nuclear projects. Last month, the "Mecca" agreement was signed – an upgrade of the alliance with Pakistan, joined by Turkey, following Iranian attacks. Despite the agreements, the Houthis continued to attack Saudi Arabia, and this week fired toward Taif, Jeddah, and Mecca, where sirens were activated for the first time. The international response amounted to mere condemnation, including from Pakistan. Saudi Arabia chose to appeal to the UN instead of activating its defense alliances. The article raises the question of what the agreements are worth if Saudi Arabia does not know how to use them, and calls it "the new sucker of the 21st century."