UAE Skeptical of Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey Defense Pact, Sees Little Substance

The United Arab Emirates has expressed reservations about the newly formed defense alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, according to a report by Kan News. Unlike Qatar and Bahrain, which welcomed the initiative, Abu Dhabi officials question the alliance's purpose, given the divergent interests of its member states. "The Emirates know this is just ink on paper. It's not a matter of displeasure, but rather that they are giving it more importance than it deserves," stated one source.

Against this backdrop, some Israeli officials had hoped to enlist the UAE in a counter-alliance to balance the new pact. However, this initiative is still in its nascent stages and far from materializing. Earlier reports indicated that Turkey and Israel had engaged in indirect talks over the past 18 months, facilitated by Azerbaijan. These discussions have been suspended recently due to escalating tensions between the two nations, Kan News reported.

"Turkey is an adversary of Israel in all arenas, but I do not believe there is an interest in an exchange of fire between the sides, neither for Turkey nor for Israel," a diplomatic source commented.