title:Pakistan Saudi Turkey Seek Defense Pact Over Israeli DominationConcerns
ISLAMABAD: As tensions escalate across the Middle East with Israel’sexpanding military operations, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey areaccelerating efforts to establish a groundbreaking regional defense pact.This initiative, driven by shared apprehensions over Israeli actionsperceived as hegemonic, aims to foster collective security mechanisms,Middle East Monitor has reported. Sources indicate that draft agreementshave already been exchanged among the three nations, with deliberationsintensifying in recent months. The move signals a potential shift ingeopolitical alignments, challenging traditional power balances and raisingquestions about future stability in the region.
Recent reports from credible outlets highlight the urgency behind thisalliance. Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Raza Hayat Harraj,confirmed in a Reuters interview that the trilateral agreement is “alreadyin the pipeline,” underscoring the rapid progress. This comes amid Israel’sintensified bombing campaigns in multiple Middle Eastern countries, whichhave displaced millions and drawn international condemnation. Data from theUnited Nations reveals over 2.5 million people affected by these conflictssince 2024, prompting regional powers to seek autonomous defense strategiesindependent of Western influences.
The proposed pact builds on existing bilateral ties, such as the StrategicMutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inSeptember 2025. This accord treats aggression against one as an attack onboth, mirroring NATO’s Article 5 clause. Turkey’s interest in joining, asreported by Bloomberg, adds a layer of complexity, given its NATOmembership and advanced military capabilities. Analysts estimate thatcombining Saudi financial resources, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, andTurkey’s technological prowess could create a formidable bloc with acombined defense budget exceeding $150 billion annually.
Fears of Israeli domination stem from a series of events, includingexpanded settlements and military incursions that have altered territorialdynamics. According to the Middle East Monitor, these actions have erodedtrust in U.S.-backed security guarantees, pushing Muslim-majority nationstoward self-reliance. A 2025 study by the Stockholm International PeaceResearch Institute notes a 25% increase in arms imports by these threecountries over the past five years, reflecting preparations for potentialconfrontations. This pact could redefine alliances, potentially isolatingIsrael further in regional diplomacy.
Strategic implications extend beyond the Middle East, influencing SouthAsia and the Gulf. Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, with an estimated 170warheads as per the Federation of American Scientists, provide a deterrentthat Saudi Arabia and Turkey lack independently. Turkey’s drone technology,which has proven effective in conflicts like Nagorno-Karabakh, complementsPakistan’s missile systems. Economic data from the World Bank shows thattrade among the trio reached $20 billion in 2025, a foundation that couldsupport joint military exercises and intelligence sharing under the newframework.
Critics argue that this alliance might exacerbate tensions rather thanmitigate them. Israeli officials have expressed concerns, viewing it as adirect threat to their security interests. A report from the Eurasian Timessuggests the pact could challenge India’s regional influence, givenPakistan’s involvement, and strain Turkey’s NATO commitments. Publicopinion polls in Turkey, conducted by Pew Research in 2025, indicate 68%support for stronger ties with Muslim nations amid perceived Western biasestoward Israel.
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Diplomatic maneuvers are underway, with high-level meetings reported inRiyadh and Ankara. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in Gulf affairs positions itas a key financier, potentially investing $10 billion in joint defenseprojects, according to United World International. Pakistan’s role as anuclear power adds strategic depth, while Turkey’s geographic bridgebetween Europe and Asia enhances logistical advantages. The InternationalInstitute for Strategic Studies estimates that this trio controls access tovital waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosporus,amplifying their collective leverage.
Challenges remain, including differing foreign policy priorities. SaudiArabia’s warming ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords contrast withTurkey’s vocal criticism of Israeli policies. However, shared threats fromIranian influence and non-state actors like ISIS remnants unite them. A2026 Carnegie Endowment analysis predicts that successful implementationcould lead to an “Islamic NATO,” with membership potentially expanding toEgypt, altering the Middle East’s security architecture for decades.
As deliberations continue, the international community watches closely. TheUnited Nations Security Council has urged restraint, emphasizing dialogueover militarization. Yet, with Israel’s military budget at $24 billion in2025—outpacing many regional rivals individually—the pact represents acalculated response. Experts from Forbes note this shift toward “layeredsecurity arrangements,” where nations diversify alliances amid decliningU.S. hegemony, setting the stage for a multipolar order in global affairs.
Source:https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260116-pakistan-saudi-arabia-and-turkey-seek-regional-defence-pact-amid-fears-of-israeli-domination
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