Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Türkiye: What the Makkah Defence Pact Means | Zarrar Khuhro - Ep 152

☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW: buymeacoffee.com/tafhimkianzWhat does the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement mean for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the future of the Middle East?In Episode 152 of the Kianistan Podcast, host Tafhim Kiani is joined by Pakistani journalist and columnist Zarrar Khuhro for an in-depth discussion about Pakistan's new defence partnership with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the changing balance of power in the Middle East, Iran, Yemen, India, Israel, China and Pakistan's evolving regional strategy.The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement brings Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye closer together on defence and strategic security. But what does this new partnership actually mean? Could it become a new regional security bloc, and how might it affect Iran, Yemen, the Gulf, the Red Sea and South Asia?Zarrar Khuhro examines Pakistan–Saudi relations, Pakistan–Türkiye defence cooperation, the Yemen war, Gulf security, Iran's position, the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab, China's role in the region and Pakistan's difficult balancing act between major global and regional powers.WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER• What the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement means• Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the agreement• The history of Pakistan–Saudi relations• Pakistan's role in the Yemen war• Why Türkiye is becoming strategically important to Pakistan• Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the changing Middle East• The future of Gulf security and US security guarantees• Pakistan's relationship with Iran and Saudi Arabia• Could Pakistan be drawn into another regional conflict?• Yemen, Ansarullah and Saudi security• The strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea• Pakistan, Türkiye and Somalia• India, Israel and emerging regional blocs• Pakistan's military relationship with Türkiye• China's role in Middle Eastern security• China–Pakistan strategic relations• Could the Makkah Agreement expand?• Is this becoming a new regional security alliance?• What the new geopolitical order means for Pakistan and the Middle EastCHAPTERS00:00 – What Is the Makkah Defence Agreement?02:22 – Introducing Zarrar Khuhro03:20 – Why Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Türkiye?04:18 – Pakistan–Saudi Relations & Yemen05:29 – Türkiye–Saudi Relations07:06 – Why the Makkah Agreement Matters07:44 – US Security Guarantees & the Gulf09:06 – The Iran War & a Changing Middle East10:33 – Why the Three Countries Need Each Other12:30 – India, Pakistan & the 2025 Conflict14:12 – What Does “An Attack on One” Mean?18:00 – Pakistan's Balancing Act20:55 – Can Pakistan Avoid Regional Wars?22:02 – Pakistan, Yemen & Escalation24:21 – Iran, Pakistan & Saudi Arabia27:49 – Ansarullah: Proxy or Independent Actor?29:19 – Saudi Arabia & Yemen30:00 – The Balkanization of the Middle East31:44 – Iran & the Postwar Region32:30 – Pakistan, Somalia & Bab al-Mandab34:00 – Türkiye, Pakistan & Somalia35:46 – Is This a Sunni Alliance?37:25 – India, Israel & Regional Blocs40:03 – What Does the Alliance Change?42:08 – Can the Makkah Agreement Work?44:17 – Turkish Military Support for Pakistan44:40 – What China Is Learning From the Wars47:57 – China's View of the Agreement49:00 – China–Pakistan Strategic Relations50:54 – Pakistan, Iran & US Pressure53:20 – Pakistan's Difficult Balancing Act53:45 – How Will the Iran War End?54:58 – America's Strategic Setback56:40 – Iran, US Midterms & the Future58:24 – Can We Predict the Future?58:41 – Final Thoughts59:23 – Thank You & GoodbyeABOUT ZARRAR KHUHROZarrar Khuhro is a Pakistani journalist, columnist and television presenter who has worked extensively across print and electronic media. His commentary covers Pakistan, foreign policy, geopolitics, international relations and regional security.CONNECT WITH ZARRAR KHUHRODawn: Zarrar KhuhroX: Zarrar Khuhro