A security pact for the region, by the region

In recent days, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact in Makkah, aimed at protecting the region's security from external threats. The agreement stipulates that any armed attack on one of the three states will be considered an attack on all three. This comes at a time when the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East is experiencing significant changes, with tensions rising between Iran, the US, and Israel.

The Saudi-led multinational defensive maritime coalition, established days before the pact, comprises 14 states. Its primary objectives are to safeguard maritime security, protect global trade routes, and secure energy supplies and shipping through crucial waterways such as the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These developments are interconnected, with the pact's message primarily directed at Iran and its regional proxies.

The alliance's focus on maritime security, energy supplies, and shipping lanes highlights the region's critical dependence on these resources. Moreover, the agreement extends beyond land-based defense to include maritime capabilities. This strategic shift reflects a growing awareness in the region that relying solely on external powers for security is no longer sufficient.

The message behind the newly-formed Makkah alliance is not solely addressed to Iran but could also be directed at Israel and the US. Türkiye's strained relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia's desire to maintain flexibility in its US relationship, and the US's potential involvement in a possible Iran deal all contribute to the complex geopolitical context.

If the three countries successfully transform the agreement into real military cooperation, the impact could be far-reaching across the region. The combined strengths of Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia could potentially establish a deterrent architecture stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Gulf and the Arabian Sea. This development signifies a significant shift in regional security dynamics, with the region moving beyond reliance on others and beginning to build its own security arrangements.