Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact, US Response Mixed

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan. The mutual defense agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Mecca 10 days ago has brought the changing security equation of West Asia to the center of a new debate. Some analysts interpret the attempt by these three countries, considered close allies of the United States, to build their own collective security mechanism as a sign of distrust towards Washington.

However, US President Donald Trump did not express dissatisfaction with this move. Instead, on Sunday, he stated on the social media platform 'Truth Social' that he was very happy that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan had signed the 'Mecca Joint Defense Agreement'. Trump wrote, 'This shows that the Middle East is becoming united and countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way.' Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump within a few hours, praising his 'brave and decisive leadership' in averting a 'nuclear catastrophe' in South Asia.