Riyadh: Bringing together Saudi Arabia, Trkiye, and Pakistan-countries with substantial military, economic, and strategic influence-the Mecca Agreement signals a growing regional belief in taking more responsibility for security amid rising instability, largely fueled by Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza and military actions against Lebanon and Iran. According to TRTworld.com, analysts have noted that the agreement represents a broader shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. It seeks to establish a flexible defense framework that allows member states to deepen military cooperation while maintaining their existing diplomatic relationships. Oral Toga, an expert at the Center for Iranian Studies, pointed out that the agreement deliberately names no adversary, allowing each signatory to preserve their current alliances. The agreement also reflects a reassessment of regional security following the Iran-US confrontation and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Recent events have highlighted the limits of relying on external powers for security, prompting renewed interest in indigenous defense cooperation. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have welcomed the initiative, while Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have yet to publicly endorse it. Analysts suggest that countries will consider joining the agreement cautiously, weighing their sub-regional threat perceptions and existing security relationships. The possibility of expanding the agreement beyond its founding members is also being discussed. Analysts believe that other Middle Eastern states might eventually join as the agreement's institutional framework develops. Qatar is seen as a strong candidate due to its close ties with Trkiye and its balanced relations with the US and Iran. Saira Bano, an assistant professor of politics, suggests that the agreement is more of an "emerging mechanism of regional strategic coordination" rather than a NATO-style alliance, emphasizing that expansion will depend on the agreement's practical development. Analysts agree that the primary o bjective of the pact is to empower Middle Eastern powers to assume greater responsibility for their security, reducing dependence on external guarantees. Luciano Zaccara, a political analyst, notes that while the agreement contains a collective security principle, it should not be seen as a Middle Eastern version of NATO. Rather than deterring specific threats, the agreement aims to internalize regional security architecture. The potential for Iran to join the framework, despite its constitutional prohibitions on military alliances, is also considered. Mohammed Eslami, a political scientist, suggests that the agreement's ultimate goal is to foster a regional security order less reliant on outside powers. Saira Bano emphasizes that the Mecca Agreement represents an early attempt to reshape the Middle East's security architecture around regional actors, with its significance lying in its potential to transform the regional order rather than becoming another NATO. If additional states participate and the agre ement develops permanent institutions and joint exercises, comparisons with a collective security alliance may become more appropriate.
