Mecca joint defense pact is defensive, not offensive: analyst

Political analyst Bashar Jarrar asserts that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is defensive in nature, akin to NATO's Article 5, rather than an offensive alliance. According to Jarrar, speaking to Al Arabiya, the agreement mirrors the Article 5 provisions of the NATO Charter, signaling it is a defensive pact, not an offensive one.

Jarrar highlighted in his interview that US backing for the Mecca agreement is deeply rooted in the long-standing Saudi-American partnership, which spans over eight decades. This support also reflects Washington's acknowledgment of Riyadh's pivotal role and robust defense ties. Jarrar stressed that the agreement constitutes a defensive response, not an act of aggression, and has been under deliberation for two years due to persistent threats faced by countries in the region.

He further explained that the pact intends to foster a new Middle East and forge fresh alliances with partners. Recently, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan announced the signing of a joint defense agreement aimed at bolstering collective deterrence in the event any of the three nations are attacked. The pact stipulates that an armed attack against one member is viewed as an attack against all, and seeks to enhance all facets of defense cooperation among the three countries.