Now Reading: Trilateral defence pact may reduce US role in West Asia
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Trilateral defence pact may reduce US role in West Asia
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a joint defence agreement on Friday, pledging that an attack on one will be treated as an attack on all. The pact comes amid rising tensions…
The Story in Brief
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a joint defence agreement on Friday, pledging that an attack on one will be treated as an attack on all. The pact comes amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing doubts about US security guarantees, according to Pakistan-based defence analysts. Analysts quoted in Pakistani media said the agreement could significantly reduce America's strategic role in the region.
Abdullah Hameed Gul, a defence analyst and former ISI chief's son, claimed 17 of 27 US military bases in Gulf countries were destroyed by Iran during a recent US-Iran war, leading Gulf states to question US protection. He said Qatar and Kuwait may soon join similar pacts with Pakistan. Another analyst, Muhammad Mehdi, argued the deal enhances Pakistan's global standing.
The Indian Opinion
This story relies heavily on Pakistan-based analysts who may overstate Islamabad's new leverage. The claim that Iran destroyed 17 US bases is unverified and conveniently supports the narrative of a US decline. The pact's actual effect on US force posture remains unclear; Washington still maintains major bases in Qatar and Bahrain. Retired Brigadier Farooq Hameed's suggestion that the pact deters India is plainly one-sided. The real test will be whether Qatar and Kuwait actually sign on, and whether the US responds by adjusting its own deployments.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
