What are the challenges facing the Mecca agreement? | Inside Story

It's an alliance analysts say highlights Saudi Arabia's desire to diversify its defence partnerships.

With the Mecca agreement, it gets support from Turkiye and Pakistan.

The pact was announced at a time of increased regional tension. Yemen's Saudi-backed government has launched a military operation against the Ansarullah Houthis following a series of attacks, while Iran and the US have yet to reach a final deal to end the war.

The trilateral pact raises questions about the effectiveness of the decades-long American military presence in the Gulf. Does this alliance offer a viable alternative to the security umbrella promised by Washington?

Presenter: Anna Burns-Francis

Guests: Abdulaziz Alghashian — Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Gulf International Forum

David Des Roches — Professor at the Thayer Marshall Institute

Zaid M Belbagi — Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory

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