Silent leverage, quiet gains? China and the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact

Silent leverage, quiet gains? China and the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact

The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, signed in Riyadh on September 17, is far more than a bilateral pledge. It represents a profound reordering of alignments in the Gulf and South Asia, reflecting and reinforcing the broader erosion of US preeminence in the Eurasian security architecture. While much of the initial commentary centered on the striking commitment of a wealthy Gulf monarchy to the defense …

Pakistan army widens message from security to diplomacy, lauds Saudi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army leadership on Wednesday linked national security with diplomatic outreach as it welcomed a new Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia, describing it as a step toward regional peace and joint defense cooperation. Chaired by Field Marshal Asim Munir, the country’s army chief, the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference in Rawalpindi reviewed