Yemen war

Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan Plan Urgent Defense Talks

Is joining Riyadh's defense a duty of solidarity and self-defense or does it turn a defense pact into a war pact?

Published 3 days ago

Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan Plan Urgent Defense Talks

Story

Above: Faisal bin Farhan (C), Ishaq Dar (L) and Hakan Fidan in New York on Sept. 24. Image credit: KSAMOFA via X

The Spin

Narrative A

Attacks on holy sites and civilian infrastructure demand a firm collective response, and standing with the Kingdom is a matter of basic self-defense under international law. A joint defense pact means little if partners show up only when one is bleeding. Regional nations must reclaim sovereignty and build collective security in the Middle East without Washington's shadow.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry on X Trita Parsi's Substack

Narrative B

Dragging outside militaries into a campaign that has already devastated Yemeni homes, markets, schools and health care would turn a defense pact into a war pact. Twelve years of bombardment and blockade have produced mass death and displacement. Real Islamic solidarity would mean pressing Riyadh to lift the siege and honor the roadmap instead of enlisting reinforcements.

Al Masirah