🔐 Learn about finance with us in a simple, free, and straight-to-the-point way: https://www.visualfaktory.com/free-gift/ On 7 August, in Mecca, Mohammed bin Salman, Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a mutual defence alliance. In early October, after Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and refineries, the pact was triggered for the first time: Turkey and Pakistan will send troops to Saudi Arabia. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compares it to NATO's Article 5. Riyadh is surrounded on every front. The Iran war has cast doubt on American security guarantees, the UAE has left OPEC and is moving closer to Israel, and the Houthis are blocking the Red Sea. Turkey, with NATO's second-largest army, and Pakistan, with around 170 nuclear warheads, bring the military muscle. Saudi Arabia brings the chequebook. On paper it fits, but the alliance has no integrated command, has not held a single joint exercise and mixes Western and Chinese weapons. And in 2015, Pakistan's parliament voted unanimously not to help Riyadh in Yemen. Is this the birth of a Muslim NATO? What does each partner gain? And what does it mean for Israel, Iran and the United States? Join the VisualPolitik community and support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VisualPolitik