Middle-east

Qatar has continued to show support for the Palestinian Authority over recent years, even while maintaining close ties with Hamas. These moves have played out through diplomatic meetings, public statements, humanitarian partnerships, and an emphasis on Palestinian unity, all while keeping the PA relevant as a key player on the scene.

Amid the Gaza crisis and the confrontation between the United States and Iran, a group of “moderate Muslim-majority states” aligned with neither Israel nor Iran has been gaining prominence. Saudi Arabia built upon its mutual defence agreement with Pakistan in 2025 and concluded the “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement” with Pakistan and Türkiye on 7 August 2026. With the prospect of further institutionalisation and an expansion of its membership, this trilateral partnership has the potential to develop into a third force alongside the “Abraham Accords” camp and the so-called “Axis of Resistance.” The implication of this observation is significant from the perspective of geopolitical theory.