'Agility vs depth': How the Mecca pact stacks up against the UAE-Israel alliance

Agility vs Depth: Mecca Pact vs UAE-Israel Alliance

Israel and the UAE maintain transactional ties through military and intelligence sharing, yet the Mecca pact offers political depth. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened in Mecca in August 2026 to establish the pact.

A European official who met with an UAE diplomat in July highlighted the UAE's alignment with Israel, stating that the partnership has no limits. However, the Mecca pact has raised questions about the alignment and readiness of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey to support each other in a conflict. The Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia's Jazan refinery shortly after the pact's signing, and neither Pakistan nor Turkey came to Riyadh's defense.

In contrast, when the UAE faced Iranian drone and missile attacks, Israel provided air defense support and joined in launching strikes against Iran. This indicates that the UAE-Israel relationship is more agile and transactional, while the Mecca pact carries a stronger political foundation.

The Mecca pact, celebrated publicly with a joint Friday prayer in Mecca, involves Turkey, the Arab world's second-largest army, and Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's only G-20 economy. Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim country, could potentially join the alliance. Despite their military and economic ties, Israel and the UAE maintain a closer relationship, with Israel providing support to the UAE during conflicts.

The Mecca pact's foundation is military and political, but it has potential for expansion. While the UAE-Israel alliance delivers more tangible gains, the Mecca pact may resonate more broadly and have a stronger public support base. This pact, with its diverse members and potential for growth, could prove to be a formidable force in the region.