From Foreign Policy · Rishi Iyengar · · 2m
Mecca Pact Activated
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey join mutual defense pact against Houthi attacks.
In brief
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey join mutual defense pact against Houthi attacks. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey activated the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement to counter Houthi strikes on Riyadh and regional airports. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Mecca Pact Activated
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey activated the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Monday after signing it in early August.
Houthi Threat Escalates
Houthi militant group continues to strike Riyadh and attack multiple regional airports this week.
Turkey's Position
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey is still assessing military support for Saudi Arabia but ruled out offensive operations.
Pakistan's Role
Pakistan appointed retired Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood as defense collective's first secretary-general and pushed back against fake reports of fighter jet use.
Saudi Security Concerns
Saudi Arabia views Houthi conflict as an existential threat to its oil transport routes through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Strategic Rationale
Pakistan sees Houthi escalation as a core national security threat due to the Bab el-Mandeb strait's critical role in regional oil transport.
Secondary Motivation
Pakistan views the pact as an in-kind early payment to Saudi Arabia for potential future conflicts with India.
Public Emphasis
Both Turkey and Pakistan publicly stress the defensive nature of their military support to Saudi Arabia.
Expert Analysis
April Longley Alley, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says Houthis pose an existential threat to Saudi Arabia.
Mecca Pact Details
The Mecca pact includes necessary measures to provide military forces and ensure rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia.
Trump's Aides Scandal
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle asked a Trump campaign donor to pay $100,000 to her credit card before her Senate confirmation hearing.
Bosnia Visit
Trump's top advisors James Blair and Chris LaCivita reportedly advised Republika Srpska ahead of its election last Sunday.
German Spy Scandal
Germany arrested 80-year-old former spy chief August Hanning for treasonous espionage after he left office.
Trump's Defense Investments
Trump announced private defense firm Anduril would invest $3.7 billion to build submarine components for the U.S. Navy.
AI Investments
Trump's administration announced $2.4 billion in tech investments from companies including Nvidia and Google for AI research.
The short version
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey activated the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement to counter Houthi strikes on Riyadh and regional airports.
