The Mecca Defense Pact Looks Toothless. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Harmless...

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Friday. The pact commits the three countries to mutual defense obligations.

The agreement was reached in Mecca and involves Gulf and regional powers. Observers note the pact appears limited in operational strength while still carrying potential implications for Middle East security balances.