Ali Ghaem-Maqami, an expert on Turkish affairs, in an analysis regarding the reasons for the passivity of the members of the Mecca Pact towards Israel's military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, examined the dimensions of this pact and the economic and security relations among the member countries.
Dimensions of the Mecca Pact
Ghaem-Maqami emphasized that the defensive pact between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, known as the Mecca Pact, should be examined in the context of new security developments in the region. This pact is not merely a political agreement and has specific defensive and security dimensions. The cooperation of this pact is not limited to military responses, and mechanisms for expanding defensive cooperation among these three countries have also been considered.
Economic and Security Relations
This political analyst added that the connection between the Mecca Pact and the existing security structures in the Persian Gulf is very important. Since 2004, NATO has established the "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative" to develop security cooperation with Middle Eastern countries. This cooperation includes defense reforms, defense planning, and counter-terrorism efforts. However, NATO has emphasized that this initiative does not imply the membership of regional countries in NATO.
Ghaem-Maqami also referred to Turkey's military presence in the region, stating that this presence does not in itself mean that Qatar is under NATO's defensive umbrella, but it indicates the expansion of Turkey's security and military presence in the Persian Gulf. In this regard, Turkey's policy towards the Yemen war and the Houthis is also considered an important point. In recent years, Turkey has supported the Yemeni government and has had close relations with Saudi Arabia.
Regarding Gaza, Ghaem-Maqami emphasized that a distinction must be made between Turkey's official positions and political analysis. In recent years, Turkey has taken multiple positions regarding the situation of Palestinians and the Gaza war. He questioned how these positions align with Ankara's defensive, economic, and security relations with regional countries.
Ultimately, Ghaem-Maqami pointed to the importance of Turkey's economic and defensive relations with Gulf countries, stating that these relations could assist Turkey's economic interests while simultaneously increasing Ankara's regional influence. Energy security and shipping routes in the Persian Gulf are other important factors in this regard.
He also noted that the members of the Mecca Pact cannot criticize the situation in Gaza and Israel's military actions, and their support for Palestine should be seen as formal and superficial.
Read more: China and Recent Developments in Yemen: New Threats to Maritime Security · Qatar Calls for Complete Withdrawal of Israel and Humanitarian Aid to Gaza at the UN General Assembly
