Makkah defense pact signals a new era of strategic cooperation in the Muslim WorldThe signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye marks one of the most consequential geopolitical developments in the Middle East and the broader Muslim world in recent years. Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye have concluded that closer strategic coordination is no longer optional but necessary. Defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has developed over several decades, encompassing military training, intelligence collaboration, and strategic consultations. Their bilateral Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, signed previously, laid much of the groundwork for broader cooperation. The true measure of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, however, will not be found in its signing ceremony or initial headlines.