Asia Sentinel

Asia Sentinel

Opinion

The ‘Islamic NATO’ Is Not NATO

The new defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey is, for now at least, a political accord

Aug 25, 2026
∙ Paid
By: Salman Rafi Sheikh

The new Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey defense pact may look like the beginnings of an “Islamic NATO,” but it is much more a political signal than a functioning military alliance.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on Aug. 7, immediately attracted comparisons with NATO. Turkish Foreign Minister Hak…

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