Turkey

Turkey

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia,7 August, 2026. Photo: Reuters

The Mecca Pact: A new era of strategic defense without division

The Mecca Pact marks a shift toward regional self-reliance, bringing Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey closer on defence while reshaping the strategic balance across the Muslim world.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia,7 August, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to hold first defence pact meeting, source says

The Italian fleet of the Global Sumud Flotilla departs from the port of Siracusa, Italy, on 11 September 2025. Photo: UNB/LaPresse via AP/Sebastiano Diamante

Turkey to seek Interpol notice for Netanyahu in Gaza flotilla case

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan reacts during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo

Erdogan names Egypt as possible next member of Mecca Pact

US President Donald Trump arrives aboard the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, as he returns to Washington after participating in a Nato leaders' summit in Turkey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, 9 July, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Trump's cabinet members stayed aboard decoy plane after president's secret exit

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport before departing Los Angeles for Las Vegas, Nevada, in Los Angeles, California, US, August 4, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Credible missile threat led to secret aircraft switch for Trump, source says

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sign a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia,7 August 2026. Photo:Reuters.

Saudi Arabia bets on defensive alliances to deter slide into war

US President Donald Trump arrives aboard the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, as he returns to Washington after participating in a Nato leaders' summit in Turkey, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, 9 July, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Trump says his plane faced 'greater risk' in secret flight change

Aid moves bags from Air Force One Boeing 747 airplane to Air Force One Boeing 757 airplane as U.S. President Joe Biden is en route to Hagerstown, Maryland, as he travels from New York to Camp David, Maryland, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., 29 March 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Turkey suspects Israeli warning of Iran plot against Trump was fabricated

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 7 August 2026. Photo: Reuters

Saudi Arabia looks for post-US security with Pakistan, Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by their ministers of foreign affairs and defence, pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters

Iran sees Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye defence pact as sign of shifting regional order

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is received by Deputy Governor of Mecca region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 6 August 2026. Photo: Saudi Press Agency/Reuters

Turkey and Saudi Arabia move from rivalry to strategic partnership

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by their ministers of foreign affairs and defence, pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters

What is the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan?