Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact a sign of a realigning global order

China may view this Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as an opportunity to expand its own diplomatic and economic influence in the Middle East and South Asia. Beijing is a key proponent of a multipolar and more equitable world order, and the pact can be considered a template for middle powers looking to reduce their reliance on the US-led security architecture.

Some analysts, however, believe the new pact will function primarily as political signalling rather than an immediate military counterforce. That remains to be seen. It is also of concern that Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state; a Nato-like commitment of deeming an attack on one as an attack on all could have serious global consequences.

The latest development is a pragmatic response to a perceived decline in the US willingness – and perhaps capacity – to maintain its traditional role as world policeman. The reckless war against Iran, launched jointly by Israel and the US, has not only disrupted global energy and shipping markets but also undermined the trust of allies – especially those in the Middle East – in Washington to do the right thing.

As the global security and defence landscape transitions from a unipolar structure towards a more fragmented and unpredictable one, some Islamic nations – and many other middle powers besides – are moving to forge their own regional security frameworks, or at least thinking about it.