Trump hails Mecca pact: Can it replace the region’s US security umbrella?

Islamabad, Pakistan — When Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in Mecca 10 days ago, some geopolitical analysts saw the deal as a message to Washington — that several of the United States’ closest military allies and partners no longer trusted its security umbrella.On Sunday, US President Donald Trump made it clear that he didn’t mind the Middle East finding ways to defend itself.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye pact: A new shield or strategic signal?list 2 of 4Will Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact change US strategy?list 3 of 4Where does Iran stand on Saudi-Pakistan-Turkiye pact?list 4 of 4What are Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan’s joint military capabilities?end of list“Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It shows that the Middle East is coming together and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way.”Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump within hours on Monday, crediting his “courageous and decisive leadership” with helping avert “a nuc...