Pakistan

Saudi Arabia, Israel have shared interests at stake, Houthi escalation highlights - editorial

Saudi Arabia's defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan faces growing scrutiny as the Houthi conflict escalates, with questions remaining over military deployments and the allies' roles.

Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport, after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked the airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2026, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.
Military personnel stand guard on the day of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly's visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, October 31, 2023.

Could Egyptian military deployment in Somalia upset Horn of Africa balance of power? - analysis

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrives at Belem Palace to meet with Portuguese President, in Lisbon on February 11, 2025.

Pakistan president imposes emergency in province ruled by ex-PM Imran Khan’s party

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, Sept. 24, 2026.

'Horrific terrorist attack': Netanyahu, world leaders condemn Houthi attack on Riyadh airport


Between the straits: The world cannot afford to yield to Iran - opinion

The US and its allies have no alternative but to prove to Iran-backed terror groups that closing straits to influence the global economy and political and operational decisions will not succeed.

 An Iranian missile system is displayed next to a banner with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during Iranian defence week, in a street in Tehran, Iran, September 24, 2024.

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

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

The conflict, now an overspill of the US-Iran war, has added new chaos to a region already aflame, and threatens to draw other states into grueling mountain fighting.

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.

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

"I don't know what their decision is going to be," Trump said of the 2026 award, which will be announced on Friday. "They have a reputation for maybe not giving it to people like me."

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.

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

The Mecca pact is moving from declaration to implementation, exposing unresolved questions in Turkey over troop deployments, parliamentary authority, and the risk of direct involvement in Yemen.

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

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey defense pact faces first test in Houthi offensive - analysis

The new alliance has taken shape over recent months, with September’s Houthi offensive and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia presenting its first major test.

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 defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Can Pakistan-Israel ties exist? Yes, if the perpetual Palestinian conflict ends – opinion

Islamabad could come to terms with Israel’s existence when Palestinians are safe in a state of their own.

A Pakistani flag flutters in the wind.

Mecca defense signees converging to discuss Houthi threat after Baghaei warns of escalation

The meeting comes a day after Iranian FM Esmail Baghaei said he hoped a “rumor” that Pakistan had deployed troops to Saudi Arabia was untrue, warning that intervention would complicate the situation.

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 defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, UAE back railway linking Central Asia to Pakistan’s seaports

The proposed Central Asia-South Asia railway would pass through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan before reaching Pakistan.  

A migrant woman from Afghanistan sits at the Macedonian-Serbian border near the village of Tabanovce, Macedonia February 24, 2016.

Saudi Arabia turns to Pakistan, Turkey as US refuses to intervene against Houthi threat - analysis

The kingdom is searching for friends beyond Washington, for allies ready to put rockets where the rhetoric is and assist in a fight Saudi Arabia considers existential.

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