Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact on Aug. 7, 2024 [1].
The agreement marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics by establishing a Sunni security bloc. It signals a changing perception of U.S. security guarantees among regional powers and aims to counter the influence of Iran.
Three nations signed the agreement [2]. Pakistani officials have described the alliance as an "Islamic NATO." Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said other Muslim nations should join the pact, saying, "Put differences aside, Muslim nations should join the Islamic NATO."
Iran has viewed the pact with skepticism. A spokesperson for the Iran Foreign Ministry said the agreement is "a sign of a change in the perception of countries in the region towards the United States."
Analysts suggest the pact deepens existing religious and political divides in the Middle East and South Asia. Mark Watson, an external contributor for ASPI, said, "This again points to the fracturing of the region into Sunni and Shia blocs."
The pact arrives as regional powers seek more autonomy in their security arrangements. By formalizing military cooperation between Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad, the three countries create a collective framework for defence that operates independently of Western-led security architectures.
“"Put differences aside, Muslim nations should join the Islamic NATO."”
The formation of this bloc suggests a strategic pivot where major Muslim-majority powers are diversifying their security dependencies away from the US. By creating a formal defence mechanism, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are not only hedging against perceived instability in US foreign policy but are also intensifying the geopolitical rivalry between Sunni and Shia interests in the region.
