Egypt Declines to Join New Defense Alliance Citing Sensitive Ties with Israel

According to a report by Middle East Eye, a source in Ankara revealed that Turkey made significant efforts to include Egypt in a newly formed defense alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. However, Egypt refused to join the pact. Another source from Ankara explained that Egypt's decision was primarily influenced by its delicate relationship with Israel. The source indicated that Cairo would have faced substantial pressure from Israel had it chosen to participate in the defense alliance. Additionally, Egypt already maintains a defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, and according to one source, Cairo prefers not to take sides between the two blocs: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan on one side, and Israel, the UAE, and India on the other. The report has not been independently confirmed by other sources or by Egyptian officials.