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"[T]he environment has changed completely since his first presidency, making the prospect of success practically zero."

"Normalization with Saudi Arabia is far from a done deal, and I think US officials have been overly-optimistic."

"I would say certainly normalization with [Israel] is not just at risk. It is off the table until we have a resolution to Palestinian statehood."

"If normalization with Saudi Arabia depends on progress toward a Palestinian state even by a millimeter, it won't happen."

"[P]eace will happen [between Israel and Saudi Arabia]."

"[W]e are on the cusp of a major breakthrough [in normalizing Israel-Saudi Arabia relations]."

"I think it'll happen."

"I think Saudi Arabia will end up being in the Abraham accords. ... Soon. Not a very long way."

Will Israel and Saudi Arabia Normalize Relations During Donald Trump's Second Presidency?

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Sunday, describing it as a "BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP" on Truth Social and saying it showed "the Middle East is coming together."

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Sunday, describing it as a "BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP" on Truth Social and saying it showed "the Middle East is coming together."

The trilateral pact, signed Aug. 7 in Mecca, establishes a collective defense framework under which an armed attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all three. The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The trilateral pact, signed Aug. 7 in Mecca, establishes a collective defense framework under which an armed attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all three. The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump's endorsement on Monday, saying the three nations would "continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defense of our own countries as well as the entire region."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump's endorsement on Monday, saying the three nations would "continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defense of our own countries as well as the entire region."

The pact combines Saudi Arabia's financial resources and energy position, Turkey's large military and defense industry, and Pakistan's armed forces and nuclear deterrent. Turkey has indicated the agreement is open to expansion, with Egypt identified as a potential future partner.

The pact combines Saudi Arabia's financial resources and energy position, Turkey's large military and defense industry, and Pakistan's armed forces and nuclear deterrent. Turkey has indicated the agreement is open to expansion, with Egypt identified as a potential future partner.

Analysts note the pact's collective defense clause is conditional rather than automatic, with Turkey's foreign minister stating a member under attack must first request assistance and specify the type of help needed. Some analysts compare its structure to NATO's Article 5.

Analysts note the pact's collective defense clause is conditional rather than automatic, with Turkey's foreign minister stating a member under attack must first request assistance and specify the type of help needed. Some analysts compare its structure to NATO's Article 5.

Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement saying Israel bears responsibility for obstructing peace efforts after rejecting Trump's Gaza plan. Separately, U.S. Envoy Jared Kushner met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss Gaza ceasefire implementation.

Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, issued a joint statement saying Israel bears responsibility for obstructing peace efforts after rejecting Trump's Gaza plan. Separately, U.S. Envoy Jared Kushner met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss Gaza ceasefire implementation.

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The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement marks a major shift in regional security — three major powers building a genuine collective defense framework outside Washington's orbit. Trump's enthusiastic backing shows this isn't inherently anti-American; it's precisely the kind of burden-sharing the U.S. has demanded for years. Combining Saudi wealth, Turkish military capacity and Pakistan's nuclear deterrent creates a genuinely formidable new regional security architecture.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement marks a major shift in regional security — three major powers building a genuine collective defense framework outside Washington's orbit. Trump's enthusiastic backing shows this isn't inherently anti-American; it's precisely the kind of burden-sharing the U.S. has demanded for years. Combining Saudi wealth, Turkish military capacity and Pakistan's nuclear deterrent creates a genuinely formidable new regional security architecture.

The Mecca pact looks bold on paper, but analysts are clear that none of these countries will automatically rush troops to defend another. The agreement explicitly rejects Israeli influence and commits signatories to resolving the U.S.-Iran conflict, making this less a defensive alliance and more a political statement dressed up in military language. Real deterrence still runs through Washington.

The Mecca pact looks bold on paper, but analysts are clear that none of these countries will automatically rush troops to defend another. The agreement explicitly rejects Israeli influence and commits signatories to resolving the U.S.-Iran conflict, making this less a defensive alliance and more a political statement dressed up in military language. Real deterrence still runs through Washington.

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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

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The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is a landmark shift in Middle Eastern security, combining Saudi Arabia's financial clout, Turkey's military muscle and Pakistan's nuclear deterrent into a genuine collective defense framework. Trump was right to call it a big, bold step — this pact reflects a region finally taking ownership of its own stability rather than waiting on Washington. The 'Islamic NATO' label undersells it; this is a structural realignment that redefines regional power on its own terms.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is a landmark shift in Middle Eastern security, combining Saudi Arabia's financial clout, Turkey's military muscle and Pakistan's nuclear deterrent into a genuine collective defense framework. Trump was right to call it a big, bold step — this pact reflects a region finally taking ownership of its own stability rather than waiting on Washington. The 'Islamic NATO' label undersells it; this is a structural realignment that redefines regional power on its own terms.

The Mecca pact is getting way more credit than it deserves — analysts openly acknowledge none of the three countries are likely to militarily intervene if another gets attacked. Pakistan's prime minister is busy thanking Trump for his support while the agreement itself rejects Israeli influence and pledges to help resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict, signaling this is more political posturing than a credible defense alliance. Real deterrence doesn't come with this many asterisks.

The Mecca pact is getting way more credit than it deserves — analysts openly acknowledge none of the three countries are likely to militarily intervene if another gets attacked. Pakistan's prime minister is busy thanking Trump for his support while the agreement itself rejects Israeli influence and pledges to help resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict, signaling this is more political posturing than a credible defense alliance. Real deterrence doesn't come with this many asterisks.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

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