ISLAMABAD: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has sparked reneweddiscussion on Muslim world unity by suggesting that a proposed defensecooperation involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey could expand toinclude other nations, drawing parallels to the European Union’s formation.In recent statements, Fidan emphasized building trust-based securityarrangements free from any single power’s dominance, questioning why Muslimcountries cannot achieve similar collective strength. This comes amidongoing talks on a trilateral defense framework, which Pakistani officialsdescribe as already in the pipeline after nearly a year of negotiations.
The initiative traces back to a bilateral Strategic Mutual DefenseAgreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025, whichtreats aggression against one as an attack on both. Reports indicateadvanced discussions to incorporate Turkey, combining Saudi economicresources, Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, and Turkey’smilitary-industrial expertise as NATO’s second-largest army. PakistaniMinister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj confirmed a drafttrilateral pact exists and is under review by all three governments, thougha final consensus is pending.
Fidan’s remarks, made in interviews and press conferences, underscore avision for broader regional solidarity. He highlighted the lack of trust asthe primary barrier to security cooperation in the Middle East and Gulfregions, advocating for inclusive platforms over narrow alliances. Byreferencing the European Union’s evolution from post-war devastation to aunified entity, Fidan posed a direct challenge: if Europe could rebuildthrough mutual respect and shared interests, why cannot Muslim nations dothe same?
Analysts note that such a pact would represent a significant shift inregional geopolitics, potentially creating a deterrent against escalatingthreats including conflicts in Gaza, Syria, and broader instability. Theproposed arrangement is often dubbed an “Islamic NATO” in media, thoughofficials stress it focuses on mutual defense without automatic triggerslike NATO’s Article 5. Turkey’s involvement could enhance operationalcoordination, joint exercises, and technology sharing, leveraging Ankara’sdefense industry advancements.
Fidan’s insistence on non-domination is key to the narrative. He explicitlystated there should be no Turkish, Arab, Farsi, or other hegemony, framingthe effort as collaborative rather than competitive. This approach aims toaddress historical rivalries and foster an environment where diverse Muslimstates—Arab, Turkic, Persian, South Asian—can prioritize common securitywithout external interference. Expansion to other countries, as suggested,could include Egypt, Indonesia, or Malaysia, creating a more representativebloc.
Challenges remain substantial in realizing this vision. Deep-seatedmistrust among regional players, differing strategic priorities, andexternal influences from global powers complicate unity. The European Unionsucceeded partly due to shared economic incentives and post-conflictreconciliation mechanisms, elements less pronounced in the Muslim worldamid ongoing disputes. Economic disparities, political systems variations,and ideological differences further hinder seamless integration.
Despite obstacles, momentum appears building through bilateral andtrilateral engagements. Recent high-level military visits, includingTurkish defense officials to Pakistan, signal deepening ties. Thecombination of Pakistan’s strategic location and nuclear deterrent, SaudiArabia’s financial clout and religious influence, and Turkey’s diplomaticreach positions the trio as a formidable core for wider cooperation.
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Fidan’s rhetoric resonates with calls for greater Muslim solidarity in anera of global uncertainty. Declining confidence in Western securityguarantees, coupled with regional volatility, has prompted these states toexplore autonomous defense pathways. A successful inclusive framework couldenhance stability, deter aggression, and promote collective bargaining ininternational forums.
The discourse also invites reflection on historical precedents. Pastattempts at Muslim unity, from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation tovarious pan-Islamic initiatives, have achieved limited success in securitydomains due to sovereignty concerns and external pressures. This proposedpath, grounded in practical defense needs rather than ideologicaluniformity, may offer a more viable model.
Ultimately, Fidan’s question—why Muslim countries cannot form a union akinto the EU—challenges leaders to prioritize trust-building and sharedprosperity. If pursued inclusively, such cooperation could redefine powerdynamics in the Middle East and beyond, fostering a multipolar order whereregional actors assert greater agency.
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