Peoples of the Middle East must not walk alone

The Mecca Pact could become one of the most important constructive political developments in the history of the Middle Eastern region. Signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, with Bangladesh reportedly considering participation and Iran’s possible involvement under discussion, it offers a framework for regional consultation, cooperation and security. Its central purpose should be diplomacy.
The Pact should help countries in the region resolve disputes through dialogue, mediation and regular contact, rather than treating military action as a first response. If it reduces tensions, prevents escalation and encourages negotiation, it could achieve far more than any conventional military alliance. History shows that alliances based primarily on military power often lead to war rather than peace. For decades, regional security in the Middle East has depended heavily on outside powers, temporary coalitions and separate agreements between individual States. The Pact’s first task should be to establish a permanent forum for communication.
Ministers, diplomats, military officers and senior officials who meet regularly are less likely to misunderstand one another. They can exchange information, explain concerns and address problems before small incidents become serious crises. Members could discuss threats to shipping, energy installations, borders and civilian infrastructure. These mechanisms should support diplomacy, not replace it. Military communication should prevent incidents and create space for negotiation, not prepare for confrontation. Mediation and diplomacy should therefore remain central to the Pact.
When members face disputes, the Pact should offer impartial fact-finding, confidential talks and diplomatic good offices before any member considers force. Committees could examine border disagreements, security incidents and disputes over trade or resources, seeking consensus wherever possible. The Nato model should not be copied. Nato is primarily a military alliance, with diplomacy too often taking a back seat. That philosophy belongs to the past.
The future of international relations depends on finding a more civilised approach to resolving disputes. The new Pact’s cooperation may include defence, but defence should remain subordinate to diplomacy. Other countries may consider joining as affiliated members so long as their sovereignty and independence remain fully intact. A looser structure might also encourage wider diplomatic participation beyond the Middle East. States may be more willing to join provided membership focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime safety and counterterrorism. Iran’s possible participation would give it greater significance. Saudi Arabia and Iran together with Türkiye are among the region’s most influential states, and their relationship affects security across the Gulf. If Iran joined, the Pact could provide a regular setting for dialogue and help transform rivalry into managed competition benefiting everyone.
Pakistan could play an important diplomatic role. It has close relations with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye while maintaining a long-standing friendship with Iran. Islamabad could help bridge differences between governments that have not always viewed regional affairs in the same way. Members could exchange information about military exercises, establish emergency communication and investigate incidents before accusations led to conflict. They could cooperate against piracy, drug smuggling and organised crime, while coordinating responses to humanitarian emergencies. The Pact should establish clear principles.
No member should use it to impose its political will on another. Military action should not settle disputes between members. Collective defence should be limited to protecting members from attack, not enabling unjustified offensive action. Decisions should be based on consultation, with force used as a last resort. The Pact could also use diplomatic and economic pressure to discourage non-member actors from harming civilians in the region. Communication with non-member states would remain crucial, since an organisation that engages only with its members could deepen divisions.
A flexible organisation built around diplomacy would be more valuable than a rigid alliance centred on military solidarity. Its true test will be whether it makes dialogue more normal, military action less attractive and regional cooperation more reliable. If it achieves those aims, the Mecca Pact could become an important foundation for a more peaceful and secure region.