The SC
INT'L MOD
The Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense
The signing of the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan has garnered global attention. Views on its importance and strategic significance for the allied states have varied, and many have questioned its feasibility or even its practical implementation, suggesting it aims to counter the ambitions and plans of certain countries and must be nipped in the bud. They also claim it has a sectarian dimension, overlooking the fact that it is a defensive alliance whose usefulness is only questioned by those who harbor ill will toward these non-sectarian states or who plan to target them in the future.
Establishing alliances to address current or anticipated future security and military threats is a legitimate right of states under international law and a natural practice throughout the world's diplomatic history. Alliances are formed only between responsible states whose strategic assessment aligns with the nature of the threats to their security and stability, as well as the security and stability of their geostrategic sphere. The countries allied in the "Mecca Agreement" share this assessment in light of the wars plaguing the region, the anticipated strategic vacuum these wars will leave behind, the imbalance of power, and the end of the regional order that prevailed in past decades. This order was linked to international protection of a region whose security and stability are an international necessity, not only due to its geoeconomic and geopolitical importance, but also because of its pivotal location and historical and political significance.
These three countries are geostrategically important, and their capabilities complement each other to restore strategic balance in the region and fill any strategic vacuum left by the region's wars. Through their alliance, these three countries can be key players in confronting current and future threats to the region. This alliance may also include other countries that share the same objectives.
Some interpretations, lacking a true understanding of its strategic dimensions, have viewed the Kingdom's importance and role in this alliance solely through its financial capabilities and its pursuit of self-preservation, limiting it to these crucial aspects. However, the Kingdom's geostrategic importance is no less than that of the other parties in this alliance, and may even surpass it.
Others have suggested that the Kingdom constantly seeks a guarantor to support its stability and security, as if this pursuit were unique to it, when in fact all nations do the same. Nevertheless, the Kingdom's position on the international geopolitical map has made it a destination sought by nations eager to gain its support and endorsement. Saudi Arabia's geostrategic standing stems from its strategic geographical location, its religious significance, its oil resources, its financial strength, its moderate policies, its diplomatic role, its international relations, and its military capabilities.
The Kingdom's strategic geographical location, encompassing most of the Arabian Peninsula, connects three major regions: the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The Kingdom boasts coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, placing it near some of the world's most vital maritime trade and energy routes. This strategic location allows the Kingdom to influence the strategic environment of these two crucial regions and act as a stabilizing force. Through this position, the Kingdom impacts global energy markets, maritime security, the balance of power in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East, and relations between major powers. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz underscored the importance of the Kingdom's Red Sea location and the readiness of its ports and infrastructure to provide alternative energy supplies, positioning it as a logistics hub for global supply chains.
Oil is one of the Kingdom's most important strategic assets. Saudi Arabia possesses some of the world's largest proven oil reserves and has consistently been a leading producer and exporter within OPEC. Its significant spare production capacity allows it to increase or decrease output more rapidly than many of its competitors. This capacity grants Riyadh exceptional influence over global oil supplies and prices. Saudi production decisions can impact inflation, transportation costs, government revenues, and economic growth in both developed and developing countries. Thus, the Kingdom is not merely an oil exporter but a key player in managing the global energy market. Today, it is building some of its geopolitical importance on its success, thanks to Vision 2030, in transforming its oil-dependent wealth into a robust economic, technological, and institutional role and influence, while expanding into other vital sectors such as investment, tourism, entertainment, logistics, manufacturing, mining, renewable and nuclear energy, defense production, and other important industries.
While strategic location and oil resources are crucial geostrategic and geopolitical factors, the Kingdom's religious standing is no less significant. It is home to the Kaaba, the direction of prayer for Muslims, and the two holiest cities in Islam, to which millions of Muslims worldwide yearn to perform Hajj, Umrah, and visit each year. This grants it an international status unmatched by any other nation. The organization, management, and protection of these holy sites—an honor and a duty for the Kingdom—has enabled it to cultivate broad and deep-rooted relationships with governments, communities, and Islamic organizations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This religious significance extends to its ability to be an influential voice of Islam, positioning it as an Arab power, an Islamic center, a major energy producer, a strong economy, and an active member of international and regional organizations, including the G20, the group of the world's strongest economies. Few countries in the world possess such interconnected sources of influence, prestige, and role at all levels.
While the Kingdom is historically and currently strategically linked to the United States, it also maintains multifaceted strategic partnerships with China, Russia, the European Union, and the majority of the world's nations, with the exception of Israel. These relationships are built on shared interests and mutual benefits, serving the Kingdom's security, the stability of its region, and its vital sphere of influence. The Kingdom manages its international relations and diplomacy with wisdom coupled with trust and credibility. It works to resolve conflicts and wars in the region and employs its diplomacy to uphold Palestinian rights and extricate the region from the quagmires of wars imposed upon it. This approach has made Saudi Arabia a significant strategic player in a turbulent international system that is increasingly moving towards multi-polarity.
Whatever the strategic importance of the Kingdom, it works confidently for the future, employing its sources of importance to build its own strength, and the alliance is nothing but an added value to achieving its security, stability, and the success of its ambitious plans for a safe and stable region.
Turki al-Faisal
