Foreign & Public Diplomacy

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: The new security pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey delivers Islamabad a boost in the Middle East but not in its own backyard, Bangladesh lashes out at India over an event involving former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the Taliban deny detaining an Afghan-U.S. dual citizen who disappeared in Kabul four years ago.

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: The new security pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey delivers Islamabad a boost in the Middle East but not in its own backyard, Bangladesh lashes out at India over an event involving former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the Taliban deny detaining an Afghan-U.S. dual citizen who disappeared in Kabul four years ago.

Mecca Pact Is Mixed Blessing for Pakistan

Last week, Pakistan inked a new security pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, known as the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The deal cements Islamabad’s place in the Middle East’s emerging security architecture and will help advance its interests in the region. But it likely won’t help Pakistan much in its own neighborhood, where it is grappling with hostile neighbors.

The Mecca pact comes less than a year after Pakistan concluded a mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia—and as it is taking steps to strengthen security cooperation with other Middle Eastern allies, including Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait.

A few of those countries might eventually join the Mecca accord; the agreement could also produce bilateral opportunities for Pakistan, such as new arms deals with Turkey.

The pact also brings Muslim-majority Pakistan more influence in the Middle East. This is important: Pakistani leaders want the world to see their country as an impactful global player rather than a risky partner. But the Middle East is also important to Islamabad’s strategic interests: home to many of its top allies, a majority of its hydrocarbon imports, and several million Pakistani expats.

Further, the Mecca pact will help Pakistan’s relationship with the United States. The Trump administration, keen to see more burden-sharing from allies, will likely welcome a deal that advances collective deterrence with an eye toward Iran. In the long term, the agreement will remind Washington of Islamabad’s broader utility in the Middle East, including as a mediator.

However, the accord with Saudi Arabia and Turkey will be less beneficial for Pakistan closer to home. Though the full text hasn’t been released, a joint statement from the signatories asserts that an attack on one member will be viewed as an attack on them all, drawing comparisons to........

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