By Dr. Ali Awadh Asseri

The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement establishes a collective-defense commitment among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan under which an attack on one is treated as an attack on all, framed as a purely defensive measure to deter aggression rather than a sectarian or anti-Iran alliance.

Its timing amid the Iran conflict accelerated years of existing bilateral defence cooperation, reflecting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategic patience and foresight in building regional capacity after the limits of external security guarantees became clear.

The pact aims to combine Saudi economic weight, Turkish military-industrial strength and Pakistani professional forces into stronger deterrence, coordination and eventual prosperity, while remaining open to broader regional cooperation and rejecting the creation of new enemies.

The signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye on Friday was a historic development for our region. When Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif came together in Makkah, they established a collective defense framework among three of the most powerful states of the Muslim world. Its central commitment is clear: an armed attack against one will be regarded as an attack against all. Its purpose is equally clear: to deter aggression, strengthen collective security and contribute to lasting regional peace.The public response reflected the importance of the occasion. There was understandable pride and jubilation in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye as people watched their leaders come together at an exceptionally difficult moment for the region. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan already share an extraordinary relationship rooted in faith, history and decades of solidarity, while Turkiye enjoys deep historical and popular bonds with both countries. Makkah has now given these relationships a powerful new strategic expression.Some outside observers were quick to describe the agreement as a “Muslim NATO” or a new Sunni alliance. Both descriptions miss its purpose. The agreement is not directed against Iran, Israel or any other country. It is neither a sectarian coalition nor the beginning of an arms race. It is a defensive agreement among three sovereign states that have watched their regional security environment deteriorate rapidly and have decided to strengthen their ability to deter future aggression. They seek no war but are determined to defend peace together.The timing has naturally attracted attention because the agreement was signed amid the continuing Iran conflict. But timing must not be confused with origin. Detailed consultations had been taking place for years. The Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed last September was itself the culmination of more than half a century of defense cooperation, while Pakistan and Turkiye also possess a long-standing and extensive military relationship. Saudi-Turkish defense cooperation has likewise........

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