China waits in wings as Mecca pact signals Gulf shift away from US security umbrella
The grand security bargain between the United States and Gulf countries is widely perceived to be fraying, creating what analysts see as an opening for Beijing to expand its presence in the region. For decades, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states relied on Washington’s defensive shield, while it in turn relied on them for access, energy and influence. Riyadh’s decision to sign a mutual defence…
The United States and Gulf countries have long relied on a security pact, but recent developments suggest a shift in the Gulf's reliance on American security guarantees. Saudi Arabia's signing of a mutual defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, modeled after NATO's Article 5, signals this shift. The pact, signed in Mecca, seeks to reduce the region's dependence on the US-dominated security architecture.
The agreement could potentially serve as a template for other countries to forge their alliances. This development could complicate India's strategic partnerships, as any conflict with Pakistan could be considered an attack under the pact, potentially leading India to strengthen ties with Israel and create new relationships with countries like the UAE, Greece, and Afghanistan.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
