From a Participant in Alliances to a Builder of Alliances: Turkey
· Halil ETYEMEZ
The world is seeking a new balance of power. As the old patterns of the global system unravel, countries are questioning not only the security provided by existing alliances but also how and with whom they will build their own security.
The world is seeking a new balance of power. As the old patterns of the global system unravel, countries are questioning not only the security provided by existing alliances but also how and with whom they will build their own security.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, should be read within this context of change.
The most striking provision of the agreement is quite clear: an armed attack against any of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.
However, the Mecca Agreement is not limited to this. It covers a broad range of areas, from defense industry cooperation and joint projects to military training, technology sharing, counter-terrorism efforts, and enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces.
Furthermore, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that the agreement does not target any country and is open to participation by brotherly nations aiming for peace, prosperity, and stability in the region is particularly significant for the period ahead.
Because here, we are not just talking about the military forces of three countries coming together.
Turkey brings its strong military, operational experience, and rapidly developing defense industry to the table.
Saudi Arabia participates with its economic and financial capacity, energy resources, and its weight in the Arab world.
Pakistan forms the third important pillar of this structure with its large and experienced army, strategic location, and the deterrence provided by being a nuclear power.
The strengths of the three countries are not identical but complementary.
I believe the true strategic value of the Mecca Agreement lies here.
For Turkey, there is a larger transformation to consider.
For many years, Turkey was a country seeking its place within security architectures, joining existing alliances. Our NATO membership is the most important example of this, and it maintains its significance in Turkey's security architecture.
Today, we are moving to another stage.
Turkey is now progressing towards becoming a country that not only takes its place at tables set by others but also leads the establishment of new tables; not just joining alliances but shaping the architecture of regional partnerships.
This is the fundamental change that makes the Mecca Agreement important.
Of course, it is too early to say today that 'a new NATO has been established' or 'a military alliance of the Islamic world has been born.' The true strength of an agreement is revealed not on the day it is signed, but by the extent to which it is implemented.
Going forward, we need to look at how joint defense planning will be conducted, at joint exercises, at joint production in the defense industry, at technology development, and whether the structure will expand to include other countries.
Turkey has a particularly significant opportunity here.
The convergence of Turkish defense technology, Saudi Arabia's investment capacity, and Pakistan's military experience and production capabilities can open the door to a new defense industry ecosystem for the three countries.
However, more importantly, an issue that the Islamic world has discussed for years but has not sufficiently realized is now back on our agenda:
To what extent can we produce our own security?
If the message from Mecca is developed on the right foundation and becomes an instrument of deterrence rather than conflict, and of cooperation rather than polarization, it can be a significant answer to this question.
Turkey's goal should not be to create new fronts; but to lead the establishment of a regional order that can stand on its own feet, defend itself when necessary, and resolve its problems through dialogue.
Therefore, for me, the most important aspect of the Mecca Agreement is not just the provision 'an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us'.
What is more important is this:
Turkey is now a country that can build alliances and strategic partnerships, not just a member of alliances.
The historical significance of the signature in Mecca will be determined in the coming years by the extent to which this will is institutionalized.
May God protect you. Forgive me my shortcomings.