“The deal, initially signed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September, states that ‘any aggression’ against one country is considered an attack on all. That mirrors Article 5 in NATO, of which Turkey is the largest military after the US. The talks are at an advanced stage and a deal is very likely, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity.”
“The expanded alliance would make sense because Turkey’s interests increasingly overlap with those of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in South Asia, the Middle East and even Africa, said the people. Turkey also sees the pact as a way of strengthening security and deterrents when there are questions over the reliability of the US, which has strong military ties with all three countries, and President Donald Trump’s commitment to NATO.”
“Should Turkey ink its membership in the alliance, it would underscore the new era in relations with Saudi Arabia as the erstwhile rival leaders of the Sunni Muslim world. After turning the page on years of rancor, the countries are working to develop economic and defense cooperation. They held their first ever naval meeting in Ankara this week, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.”
“Turkey and Pakistan, meanwhile, have long enjoyed close military relations. Ankara is building corvette warships for Islamabad’s navy and has upgraded dozens of its F-16s. Turkey is already sharing drone technology with both countries, and now wants them to join its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet program, Bloomberg reported earlier.”