Pakistan has expanded Gulf defense ties — earlier cooperation with Saudi Arabia,
a trilateral defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and a new defense
cooperation pact with Kuwait signed on Aug. 27. Middle East specialist Wang Jin
said Pakistan’s strong military capability, Sunni-majority identity and
long-standing military links with Gulf states make it a preferred partner and
likely to play a larger supporting role in regional security. He added this does
not imply near-term displacement of US military presence or security leadership
in the Gulf.
