Mecca Defence Pact: New 'Sunni NATO'
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective defense pact in Mecca, resembling NATO's Article 5. This directly responds to Iranian attacks on Gulf states and Israeli regional expansion. The inclusion of nuclear-armed Pakistan adds a new deterrence layer. Challenges the US security umbrella narrative. Implications for Iran, Israel, and broader regional security architecture.
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Updated Aug 9, 2026