Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign A Mutual Defense Treaty

Peter Zeihan 4 min

The United States is getting out of the mutual security business. We should expect to see more and more things like this as we are not in that world anymore.

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    The Treaty and Its Implausibility

    Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense treaty despite non-overlapping security concerns, with the speaker questioning its seriousness due to logistical impossibilities. Since 1945, no countries have formed all-for-one alliances except those led by the United States, making this pact unprecedented in the nuclear age.

  2. 2:24

    Logistical Impossibilities

    Saudi Arabia cannot deploy troops within its own country, and Pakistan's forces are positioned facing India, making mutual defense logistically impossible. As the United States withdraws from the mutual security business, wealthy nations like Saudi Arabia are seeking alternatives to traditional alliances.

  3. 3:15

    Increased Frequency of Unstable Deals

    We should expect to see more such unstable agreements as nations experience new systems that differ significantly from the post-1945 era.

Key points

  • 0:00

    Saudi Arabia subsidizes Pakistan's existence through debt relief and below-market oil supplies.

  • 0:00

    The idea that Pakistan will nuke someone on Saudi Arabia's behalf does not match reality.

  • 0:00

    Since 1945, no countries have formed all-for-one alliances except those headed by the United States.

  • 2:24

    Saudi Arabia cannot deploy troops within its own country effectively.

  • 2:24

    Pakistan's forces are positioned on the eastern side facing India, not Saudi Arabia.

  • 2:24

    The United States is getting out of the mutual security business.

  • 2:24

    Wealthy nations like Saudi Arabia are looking for alternatives to traditional alliances.

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