The Mecca pact is just a show

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, is described as a strategic maneuver rather than a robust regional axis. Despite being called "comprehensive, all military means" by a Saudi official, the pact's limitations were evident when Houthi attacks on Saudi positions shortly after its signing did not trigger a direct military response from Turkey or Pakistan. The agreement serves the independent interests of each signatory: Saudi Arabia seeks leverage after a stalled nuclear deal with the U.S., Pakistan aims for global influence and containment of India, and Turkey aspires to become the dominant Muslim power, posing a potential threat to Israel. The article highlights that the pact's connections are "artificial and fragile," creating inherent conflicts, particularly between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over regional leadership. In contrast, Israel's partnerships with the U.S., India, and the UAE are presented as "natural and has proven resilient in challenging times." The author suggests that Israel should monitor the strengthening military ties between Turkey and Pakistan and maintain unity on security matters to keep the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia alive, especially given the ongoing Gaza conflict and upcoming elections.