Saudi Arabia's new agreement with Turkey, Pakistan puts stability on dangerous hedge - editorial

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca on August 7, 2026, with collective defense provisions. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for a 'united military front' against Israel. Israeli analysts view the pact as hedging and a maneuver to pressure the US. The editorial warns it could undermine Saudi-Israel normalization and urges Israel to pursue normalization while the US addresses Saudi concerns.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca on Friday, August 7, 2026, committing to collective defense: an armed attack on any one is considered an attack on all. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan likened it to NATO's Article 5. The agreement establishes a ministerial committee and secretariat in Saudi Arabia, with Egypt potentially joining. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for a 'united military front' against Israel, describing it as a threat to the Muslim world. Israeli analysts Dr. Yoel Guzansky and Jacob Nagel interpret the pact as hedging and a diplomatic maneuver to pressure the US, given Saudi concerns about Iranian threats and US reliability. The editorial warns that the alliance, with members hostile to Israel, could undermine normalization prospects. It urges Israel to continue pursuing normalization and the US to address Saudi security concerns.