A new defence pact linking Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan has prompted debate over whether it could form a competing regional power bloc or create a new burden-sharing model among US partners. It matters because analysts believe the arrangement could affect the US-backed regional framework centred on Israel and the Abraham Accords.

The three countries have longstanding security ties with the United States but bring different interests to the pact. Commentators are divided over whether it will challenge existing alliances or complement them by encouraging regional partners to take greater responsibility for security.