China waits in wings as Mecca pact signals Gulf move beyond US security umbrella - South China Morning Post
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- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a security pact in Mecca, which the South China Morning Post frames as a Gulf move beyond the US security umbrella, with China waiting in the wings to expand influence
- Iran publicly stated there is no reason to fear the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi security pact, signaling Tehran's measured response to the new regional alignment
Why it matters: The shift from a US-led to a Muslim-majority-led Gulf security architecture opens strategic space for China — Saudi Arabia's top oil customer — to deepen ties in a region long dominated by Washington, while Iran's calm reception signals the pact is unlikely to trigger a new regional confrontation.
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