The Middle East’s Nato?

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye formalized a significant security pact on August 7, 2026, signing the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA). This agreement aims to bolster collective deterrence against external armed aggression, stipulating that an attack on any one signatory nation will be considered an attack on all parties involved.

The pact builds upon existing defense ties between the nations. Historically, Pakistan has supplied training aircraft to Turkiye, which in turn has provided corvettes. Saudi Arabia has also procured drones from Turkiye and received training and technical assistance for its forces from Pakistan. These existing military and defense cooperation agreements, particularly with Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, provide a foundation for the MJDA.

Legally, the MJDA is anchored in international law, referencing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This article recognizes the right to individual or collective self-defense in response to an armed attack. Article 51, part of Chapter VII, is a key exception to the general prohibition on the use of force in international relations, safeguarding the territorial integrity and political independence of member states. The agreement emphasizes that self-defense is triggered by an "armed attack," setting a high threshold for the lawful use of force, though states have historically used force pre-emptively or anticipatorily.

The concept of collective self-defense has precedents, notably NATO's invocation of Article 5 following the September 11, 2001 attacks. This article similarly mandates that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all, requiring mutual assistance, potentially including armed force. The MJDA's framework aligns with such collective security arrangements, providing a mechanism for mutual defense among the three signatory nations.