Washington applauds the Mecca Agreement and scales back its "hostile" maneuvers with Seoul
Amid U.S. efforts to reshape Washington’s role as a security guarantor in the region in coordination with its partners, President Donald Trump praised the “Mecca Agreement” signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan for joint defense, describing it as a “major and very important” step to enhance regional security.
Trump said on the night of Sunday–Monday, “I am very happy to see Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan having recently signed the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense,” adding that “this is a major, bold, and very important step that reflects a growing rapprochement among Middle Eastern countries to defend themselves more effectively.”
The agreement, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Mecca on August 7, stipulates that any armed attack on one of the signatory states will be considered an attack on all, mirroring Article 5 of the NATO treaty. It also calls for strengthening defense cooperation and consolidating a collective deterrence framework to support security and stability at both the regional and international levels.
Hours before the launch of Asia’s most important annual military exercise, Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back the “Freedom Shield” joint exercises with South Korea, citing Seoul’s failure to provide assistance on the Iran file and his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on the night of Sunday–Monday: “Based on my very good relationship with the North Korean leader, I am not satisfied with the United States’ long-standing approval to participate in joint military exercises with South Korea.”
Trump continued: “Although it is somewhat irrelevant, I recently asked the South Korean president whether they would like to join us in dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, and their response was: No, thank you!”
As the 10-day exercises began, South Korea reported that it was reviewing Trump’s sudden statements and would continue working with the Pentagon on training details and “maintaining a strong joint defensive posture.” It also stated that it was “in close contact with Washington regarding substantive and military ways to contribute” to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and that it was participating in international discussions.
