【By Observer Group, Chen Sijia】Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a joint strategic defense agreement last year aimed at strengthening joint deterrence against acts of aggression. According to a report by Bloomberg in the United States on January 9, as the reliability of the US's NATO security commitments is being questioned, NATO member Turkey is now seeking to join Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's defense alliance to enhance its security and deterrence capabilities.

Several informed sources revealed that negotiations between Turkey and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have made progress, and "a deal is highly likely." Turkey believes that its interests in South Asia, the Middle East, and even Africa are increasingly overlapping with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, making the expansion of the defense alliance reasonable.

The sources said that in the context where the reliability of the United States is being questioned and there is uncertainty regarding Trump's military commitments to NATO, Turkey sees joining Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's defense alliance as a way to strengthen its own security and deterrence capabilities.

Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategic analyst at the Turkish think tank TEPAV, said that Saudi Arabia has strong financial strength, Pakistan has nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile technology, and Turkey can provide military experience and defense industry for the defense alliance.

Ozcan pointed out: "As the United States prioritizes its own and Israel's interests in the region, the changing landscape and spillover effects from regional conflicts are prompting countries to establish new mechanisms to identify friends and enemies."

Bloomberg reported that the Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi governments have not yet responded to this news.

July 17, 2023, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Turkish President Erdogan meets with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad, IC photo

Last September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a joint strategic defense agreement, stipulating that an attack on one of the countries would be considered an attack on both. The two countries stated in a joint statement that the agreement reflects their shared commitment to enhancing their own security and achieving regional and global peace and security, aiming to develop defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any act of aggression.

Bloomberg analyzed that if Turkey joins this alliance, it could change the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond, and bring Turkey-Saudi relations into a new phase. Turkey and Saudi Arabia had long competed for leadership in the Sunni Muslim world until recently, when they ended their long-term tense and adversarial relationship and shifted toward promoting economic and defense cooperation.

Last week, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that Turkey and Saudi Arabia held their first naval meeting in Ankara on January 6.

In terms of geopolitical interests, Turkey and Saudi Arabia both closely watch Iran, which is dominated by Shia Muslims, but prefer to engage with Iran rather than resort to force. Both countries support establishing a "Sunni-dominated, stable regime" in Syria and support the independence of Palestine.

Meanwhile, Turkey and Pakistan have maintained close military ties for a long time. Turkey is building frigates for the Pakistani Navy and has modernized dozens of F-16 fighter jets for the Pakistani Air Force.

Bloomberg previously cited sources saying that Turkey has shared drone technology with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and hopes that the two countries will join Turkey's fifth-generation fighter jet "Khan" project.

The British media "Middle East Eye" noted that more than a decade ago, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were close allies, opposing Turkey on regional issues. However, in recent years, alliances in the Middle East have changed, and since 2021, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have repaired their relations, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE have developed differences over issues in Yemen, and their partnership has gradually disintegrated. Turkey's current pursuit of joining the Pakistan-Saudi alliance may build a new military group.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Group. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7594462132453573146/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.