Reference News Network, January 12 report: According to the Russian "Independent Newspaper," on January 12, Turkey hopes to join the defense alliance between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Considering that Islamabad and Riyadh have committed to mutual assistance in case of an attack on either side, this move is significant.
According to Bloomberg, it makes sense for Turkey to join the alliance, as its interests align with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in South Asia, the Middle East, and even Africa. However, the initiative to expand the alliance comes from Pakistan.
According to officials who did not want to reveal their names, negotiations among the three countries have made progress, and the likelihood of reaching an agreement is high. If this security alliance, which includes a NATO member state Turkey, is established, it could change the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond.
The agreement reached by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan last September states: "An aggression against any member of the alliance will be considered an aggression against all members." This replicates Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
The new agreement serves Turkey's interests, not only because of the broad consensus in foreign policy with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, but also because statements by former US President Trump have raised doubts among allies about the reliability of the US fulfilling its NATO obligations. Therefore, Turkey has been forced to seek other ways to strengthen its own security.
Nihat Ali Ozcan, a Turkish expert on strategic issues, said that the participating parties of the agreement will contribute their respective strengths to a common cause: Saudi Arabia provides financial resources, Pakistan offers nuclear weapons capabilities, ballistic missiles, and a large number of human resources, while Turkey has armed forces with combat experience and a developed military industry. He said, "The United States prioritizes protecting its own and Israel's interests, and the consequences of several regional conflicts are prompting countries to establish new mechanisms to distinguish friends from enemies."
If Turkey signs the agreement to join the alliance, it will open a new phase in its relations with Saudi Arabia - the two countries were once rivals in the struggle for influence over global Sunni Muslims. Now, both sides hope to end the disputes and build cooperation. Last week, naval officers from the two countries held their first meeting in Ankara in history.
The three-nation alliance negotiations took place against the backdrop of the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India. The ceasefire ended the conflict between these two nuclear-armed neighbors in May 2025. Tensions between Pakistan and its neighbor Afghanistan are also high.
Alexei Portanskiy, a professor at the Higher School of Economics in Russia, said that discussions about the tripartite agreement are still in the consultation stage, and it is too early to say whether Turkey will finally decide to join.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7594353601863090688/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.