The rulers in the Middle East who have long relied on the United States to protect their thrones are gradually seeing that longstanding advantage come to an end. The royal families of this region have been safely ensconced in such a security arrangement for a long time. However, by challenging the US -Israel axis, Iran has shattered the old sense of security for Washington's Arab allies.

Many countries around the world have taken immediate lessons from this scenario. Everyone is reevaluating and rearranging their defence policies and strategies. Strategic diversification has started everywhere.

The Mecca Agreement is its first major manifestation. The harsh reality has brought these three distant powers closer. Moreover, without relinquishing decision-making freedom, all those involved in the agreement were able to add additional weight to their international image. Yet, Riyadh-Washington and Islamabad-Beijing ties persist. Turkey does not have to leave NATO either.

The economic backdrop of this agreement is also worth considering. Gulf countries serve as major centres for global capitalism. Iran's counterattack in the face of aggression has shaken down assets and investments in that area. Securing these capitalist centres is crucial for many. Hence, the Mecca Agreement does not solely involve the interests of three countries; it has a significant political economy component. However, more than the moment of the agreement, everyone is interested in seeing how much importance the three countries attach to utilising it. It's still unclear whether it will have a unitary command structure like NATO.