Mecca Defense Pact First Committee Meeting

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to hold the first committee meeting of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in Istanbul on Monday. The pact, signed on August 7, establishes a collective defense framework similar to NATO's Article 5, stipulating that an attack on any member is considered an attack on all. The meeting will bring together foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of staff from the three countries to discuss international security, enhancing defense capabilities, interoperability, and defense industry cooperation, including joint production and development. The agreement was signed amid heightened regional tensions following the US-Israel war against Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies and caused a global energy crisis. The three nations share concerns about the military stances of Israel and Iran. Turkey has indicated the pact is open to expansion, with Egypt as a potential candidate. The meeting aims to establish a secretariat and roadmap for future cooperation.