Key facts
- A new defense pact, the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, has been signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with Turkey also involved.
- Emirati academic Abdulkhaleq Abdulla criticized Pakistan's economic and social standing in relation to its participation in the pact.
- The agreement is seen by some analysts as a counter to UAE-Israel military cooperation.
- Saudi Arabia reportedly opposed Egypt's inclusion in the pact, citing its alignment with the UAE.
An Emirati academic's critical remarks about Pakistan's economic and social indicators have highlighted underlying anxieties within the UAE regarding a new defense pact involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent Emirati political analyst, questioned Pakistan's opportunistic posturing in joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, citing its poverty and internal instability.
The agreement, signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September 2025, with Turkey also involved, is viewed by some analysts as a strategic counter to the UAE-Israel military cooperation. Abdulla's comments, which garnered over a million views, suggest a deeper rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, particularly concerning regional alliances and influence.
Further complicating the regional dynamics, Saudi Arabia reportedly opposed Egypt's inclusion in the pact, citing concerns over Cairo's close alignment with the UAE. This exchange underscores a complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, where emerging alliances are being shaped by pragmatic risk management and a desire for strategic autonomy, potentially challenging existing power structures.