Turkey Eyes Broader Mecca Pact Beyond Three Members

Turkey seeks to expand the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to include more countries, with Egypt floated as a likely next member and other GCC states such as Qatar and Kuwait discussed; officials say the pact is not meant to replace existing alliances and would be calibrated to avoid forcing members into conflicts, while Egypt’s decision would hinge on legal/operational assurances and its ties to Washington.