Will the (sort of NATO-like) mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan announced recently make any difference? What are its implications?
I see it as a sort of “shot across the bow” to Iran. Maybe to Israel, too, if Saudi Arabia has anything to fear from Israel which seems kind of dubious to me. Does it have other implications?
Its making explicit what was implicit.
My opinion is the message is as much for Israel as for Iran, rather then primarily Iran. The Israeli attack on Qatar (aiming at Hamas) probably signaled to many in the Gulf that the Israelis (Netanyahu) is “reckless”, as in willing to destabilize the region, and the US is not willing / can’t deter those destabilizing actions. For example, I am sure the Saudis are thinking Israel wouldn’t have any scruples in turning Saudi Arabia into a battleground in its conflict with the Houthis.