Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
An Israeli strike on a Syrian airbase in August was never just about a runway. It exposed a deeper contest between Israel and Türkiye over which doctrine—Turkish integration or Israeli unilateral force—will define the region’s emerging order.
Türkiye’s rivalry with Israel and Assad’s fall have made Lebanon a strategic priority for Ankara, which seeks deeper security and economic ties without turning it into a direct sphere of influence.
A review of reactions to the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement—from Arab, Israeli, Iranian, and Western media to leading research centers—reveals that the agreement’s substance, motives, and consequences transcend the scope of conventional defense pacts.
The region is undergoing rapid shifts in its approach to security and alliances, driving states to seek more diverse and flexible arrangements to reduce their reliance on security partnerships with major powers.
Amid the turmoil of the past few years—and broader geopolitical shifts—three major Muslim powers have agreed to a new framework for their mutual security, while providing a path for others to follow.
The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement marks a significant step in relations between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, representing a shift from sporadic defense cooperation to a more structured framework.