Prince Turki Al-Faisal has published a defense of the new Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan. Writing amid criticism from commentators who have questioned the pact’s intent, the former Saudi intelligence chief accused critics of misrepresenting its purpose and harboring hostile views toward the three non-sectarian states. He argued that the alliance is a legitimate right under international law and responsible statecraft rather than an aggressive act.
According to the argument, the pact is not aimed at any specific adversary but responds to a shared fear that regional wars will leave a strategic vacuum, which the alliance aims to fill to restore balance. Furthermore, the three countries have the potential to become a major strategic bloc capable of confronting regional threats.
Prince Turki also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leverage as a partner, noting its geographic control, oil reserves and pricing power, religious standing as custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, economic transformation under Vision 2030, and global diplomatic relationships.