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Al Jazeera

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The Times of India

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Firas Maksad

"[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."

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2026/report-saudi-arabia-turkey-pakistan-to-sign-defense-pact">The trilateral pact, signed Aug. 7 in Mecca</a>, 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 Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Globe Eye News

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 Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump's endorsement on Monday, saying Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey would work together to strengthen regional security and "play a constructive role" in defending both themselves and the wider region.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Trump's endorsement on Monday, saying Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey would work together to strengthen regional security and "play a constructive role" in defending both themselves and the wider 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.

Middle East Eye

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 that the pact does not necessarily require an automatic military response. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared its collective defense clause to NATO's Article 5, while indicating that assistance could range from intelligence sharing to direct military support.

Analysts note that the pact does not necessarily require an automatic military response. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared its collective defense clause to NATO's Article 5, while indicating that assistance could range from intelligence sharing to direct military support.

Meanwhile, eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, said Monday that Israel was obstructing peace efforts by rejecting Trump's Gaza plan. Separately, U.S. Envoy Jared Kushner held talks in Egypt over implementing the Gaza ceasefire.

Meanwhile, eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, said Monday that Israel was obstructing peace efforts by rejecting Trump's Gaza plan. Separately, U.S. Envoy Jared Kushner held talks in Egypt over implementing the Gaza ceasefire.

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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."

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.

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.

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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

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Saudi Arabia

Military

The Mecca Defense Pact 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 Defense Pact 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.

Trump's simplistic view of the Mecca pact may explain his embrace of an agreement that signals declining U.S. influence. Saudi Arabia is diversifying beyond Washington's security umbrella, while the pact strengthens regional coordination and challenges Israeli influence. Yet its military credibility remains uncertain, with little evidence the three states would fight for one another. Rather than vindicating Trump, the pact may show key U.S. partners increasingly hedging against Washington.

Trump's simplistic view of the Mecca pact may explain his embrace of an agreement that signals declining U.S. influence. Saudi Arabia is diversifying beyond Washington's security umbrella, while the pact strengthens regional coordination and challenges Israeli influence. Yet its military credibility remains uncertain, with little evidence the three states would fight for one another. Rather than vindicating Trump, the pact may show key U.S. partners increasingly hedging against Washington.

There is a 96 percent chance that the United States will remain a NATO member continuously until January 1, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 96 percent chance that the United States will remain a NATO member continuously until January 1, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Trump Backs Mecca Defense Pact Among Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan

Trump Backs Mecca Defense Pact Among Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

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