Pakistan

Middle East economy to shrink 2.1% in 2026, Gulf economies by 4.3%, World Bank forecasts

Despite grim forecasts, the World Bank projects regional economies could rebound by 7.8% in 2027 if the conflict ends this year, though the Hormuz blockade and inflation remain major threats.

Now, when Israel looks out at the map, it has an alliance with two countries that face Iran directly across the Gulf
Pro-Saudi-backed Yemeni government fighters fire their weapons during what government forces say was an advance against the Iran-backed Houthis, near Dhubab, Taiz Governorate, Yemen, October 5, 2026.

Houthis ramp up missile attacks on Riyadh as Saudi-backed war in Yemen widens

US President Donald Trump speaks with media before boarding Marine One as he travels to Grand Island, Nebraska, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 5, 2026.

Trump says he deserves Nobel Peace Prize but has doubts he will get it

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting at his ruling AK Party (AKP) in Ankara, Turkey, October 7, 2026.

Mecca defense pact puts Turkey’s commitment to Saudi under domestic scrutiny - analysis


Iran says Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi defense pact is no threat, reflects a 'shift in approach'

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said the pact showed a shift in regional countries' approach to security, with greater reliance on their own capabilities rather than outside powers.

IRAN'S FOREIGN Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei attends an interview, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 5, 2026.

Pakistan says defense pact with Turkey, Saudi Arabia is 'purely defensive,' open to other nations

He said the Mecca Agreement is the result of several years of discussions and mutual consultations, aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation to address various security challenges, promote peace.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looks on after they signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Saudi Arabia's new agreement with Turkey, Pakistan puts stability on dangerous ground - editorial

Riyadh must decide whether its new alliances will strengthen regional stability or give greater influence to governments seeking to turn Israel into the common enemy.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by their ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

India-Israel ties will bloom amid Middle East's new Mecca Pact - analysis

Ties with Greece and Cyprus are also likely to benefit from the agreement, with Athens and Nicosia as concerned about an expanded Turkish footprint in the eastern Mediterranean as Jerusalem is.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jerusalem, February 26, 2026.

Turkey, Saudi, Pakistan defense pact complicates Israel normalization hopes, expert tells 'Post'

Saudi Arabia, the hardest-hit of all three countries, likely joined the pact so it would have more leverage and options as trust in Washington is waning in the region, Guzansky said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Why has Pakistan introduced new guidelines for state oversight of foreign media? - analysis

Pakistani journalists working for foreign media organizations are also covered by the new guidelines.

Pakistani flags flutter near the Parliament House, as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026.

Turkey says Saudi-Pakistan defense pact mirrors NATO’s Article 5, not aimed at Iran

The new defense pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will establish NATO-style security mechanisms, Ankara says.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks to the reporters at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia is a 'paper tiger,' weaker than it appears, Israeli former national security head says

"Saudi Arabia has a great deal of weaponry and a great deal of money, but militarily, it cannot manage to 'get through the day,'" said Brig.-Gen. (res.) Jacob Nagel.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of the expected signing of a defence deal between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign major defense pact amid Iran tensions

The agreement says that any armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against them all.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gather to sign a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Iran Foreign Ministry denies talks with US, says no meetings planned, despite Trump claims - report

Baghaei told the WSJ that all of Iran's negotiators were still in the country, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who was visiting a religious site in Iraq.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei speaks during an interview, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 5, 2026.