No one in the world expected that a Middle East war would make Pakistan the biggest winner.
But historical turning points often lie hidden in what seems like accidental inevitability. When the dominoes began to fall, who could have foreseen which final outcome they would lead to?
Israel recently pursued Hamas and bombed the capital of Qatar, causing outrage across the Arab world. A few days later, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense treaty, with the most critical clause stating: an attack on one country is an aggression against both countries.
What does this mean?
Saudi Arabia, the most powerful Gulf Arab state; Pakistan, the only Islamic country with nuclear weapons, officially formed an alliance.
This means that Saudi Arabia now has a nuclear umbrella.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Israel is considered the only country with nuclear weapons.
But is that all?
Far from it.
According to some media analyses, whether true or not, they are for reference only.
1. After Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE may also sign agreements with Pakistan, as the pain of Saudi Arabia is also their pain, especially Qatar.
2. Before signing the agreement with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia did not inform the United States, which found out afterwards, fully demonstrating Saudi Arabia's anger.
3. Pakistan has been in a state of war, and Saudi Arabia will gain Pakistan's military expertise, nuclear umbrella, and both countries will carry out research and manufacturing of advanced weapons.
4. Pakistan will deploy missiles, even troops, in Saudi Arabia.
In a way, the India-Pakistan war gave Pakistan a new situation; without Israel's attack on Qatar, there would be no such result today.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have always had close relations. According to disclosures by retired Pakistani Brigadier Feroz Khan, Saudi Arabia provided generous financial support to Pakistan, allowing its nuclear program to continue, especially when the country was under sanctions.
Therefore, as early as 2007, a U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks disclosed that a U.S. diplomat in Saudi Arabia revealed that Pakistan proposed joint weapon research with Saudi Arabia, making Pakistan the "physical protector" of the Middle East.
Pakistan had long intended this, but Saudi Arabia had other concerns.
After all, Saudi Arabia had to consider the reactions of the United States and even Israel.
If the Middle East remained peaceful, the two countries might have just maintained close cooperation.
But Israel's sudden attack on Qatar broke all peace and shattered the Arab world's illusions.
It should be noted that among the Gulf states, Qatar maintains very good relations with Israel. In fact, Qatar mediated between Israel and Hamas during negotiations.
But Israel acted on impulse—what else is that but a backstab?
Don't forget that Qatar also has the largest U.S. airbase in the Middle East, and the U.S. allowed it to remain; Qatar has advanced American weapons, but the Qatari military is unaware of them.
This attack woke up Qatar and also woke up Saudi Arabia.
Even if the relationship with the United States is good, can it be better than the relationship between the United States and Israel?
In international politics, there are no eternal allies, only eternal interests. This saying has been repeated many times, but it always receives the latest and most sharp echo at historical turning points.
Therefore, Saudi Crown Prince Salman quickly adjusted his policy, seeking new reliable forces.
Pakistan, undoubtedly, is the best choice.
Simply put:
1. The two countries are closely related, with strong relations, and Saudi Arabia has a debt of gratitude to Pakistan;
2. Pakistan has rich combat experience, and the recent India-Pakistan air battle showed its strength;
3. Pakistan also has nuclear weapons. Considering the fact that Israel has nuclear weapons, this is very important.
Without any hesitation, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan quickly signed the agreement.
What is the art of trade?
This is the art of trade.
In the chess game of geopolitical strategy, the real masterstroke is not actively laying out a plan, but skillfully utilizing unexpected crises, transforming chance into inevitability.
This is just the first step.
Next, it is likely that the UAE and Qatar will join, thus expanding the bilateral agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan into a four-nation alliance, or even more.
I saw that on overseas social media, some people commented: This is not just a shift in the pattern, but a major crack in America's global hegemony.
Because the Gulf countries have seen through the true face of the United States. On the surface, they are all good friends, and the United States is stationed in these countries, but the United States always puts Israel first. As a result, when Qatar was attacked, the United States gave the green light and turned a blind eye.
The betrayal at a critical moment is often more destructive to the foundation of trust than an enemy's attack.
Through consistent quiet performance, through the outstanding performance of the India-Pakistan air battle, and through standing up at the crucial moment, Pakistan's friendship has been affirmed, and it ultimately became the biggest winner.
Where did Pakistan win?
First, winning in aid.
After all, as a poor country, Pakistan still has a heavy development task. The Gulf countries have plenty of money, and now their relations are closer, so they are more in need of Pakistan. What is this but a major benefit for Pakistan?
Second, winning in the game.
Pakistan's greatest enemy is undoubtedly India. In the future, Pakistan will send people, while the Gulf countries will provide money, jointly developing advanced weapons, which will be more helpful in the game with India.
Third, even more so, winning in morality.
At the critical moment, Pakistan stood up, which made the Gulf countries feel grateful. Gratitude also needs payment. More importantly, the terms are mutual, so an attack on Pakistan is also an attack on Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Without Israel's attack, Pakistan's dream probably would not have been realized for a long time.
Now, everything suddenly became a reality.
Pakistan has transformed from a poor friend into a bodyguard for the Gulf countries.
A country's true strength is not only about how much external support it can obtain, but also about whether it can turn this support into a stable internal foundation.
Of course, Pakistan still faces severe challenges.
Although the complex games on the international stage are fascinating, without domestic stability and development as a support, even the most brilliant diplomatic victories are just mirages in water and flowers in the mirror, leading to empty joy.
I saw that some people on overseas social media analyzed that, on the surface, this is a Saudi-Pakistan alliance, but in fact, it is a deep cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and China.
After all, the most advanced weapons of Pakistan, whether planes or missiles, are all made in China; China and Saudi Arabia have a close relationship, and Saudi Arabia has the most advanced American weapons, but also purchased a lot of Chinese weapons.
It is possible that in the future, Pakistan will use Chinese-made weapons to safeguard peace in the Middle East.
That's a matter of personal opinion.
If I have to say, I can only say that this has nothing to do with China, and China's policy definitely will not form alliances; but for China, the transformation of the Middle East pattern may not be a bad thing.
In fact, this greatly enhances the international community's trust in Chinese weapons.
The greater impact is on Israel.
The Associated Press said that this agreement sent "a major signal" to Israel. In the Middle East, Israel is no longer the only country with nuclear weapons.
It is interesting that both the United States and Israel have kept a rare silence, even refusing to respond to the Associated Press's request for comments.
Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words, representing the most oppressive calm before a storm, and the most powerful annotation during the restructuring of the pattern.
Also, India is watching.
After all, Pakistan's victory is often seen as India's loss. I saw that the Indian side has already stated, "We will study the impact of this development on our national security and regional and global stability."
Also, Iran is watching.
Although the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia has improved, the emergence of Pakistan has inevitably caused thoughts in Iran. I saw that the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have already called each other, discussing this agreement.
Historical turning points often start from small things, but eventually accumulate into a torrent.
When silence becomes the loudest answer, and when the old order is quietly reshaped, what we see is not just a victory or defeat in a geopolitical game, but also a long prelude of a world searching for new anchor points in confusion.
How the future will be written is still unknown.
But one thing is certain: the real winners are always those who can see the direction in the chaos and dare to bet on their own fate. External opportunities are fleeting, and strength is the eternal reliance.
All the premises, first do your own things well!
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7551582092501484095/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author and welcomes you to express your attitude through the [Up/Down] buttons below.