Turkey hunts for new security alliances as regional tensions rise

Turkey is aiming to build a new security structure by forging new military cooperation agreements and alliances amid rising regional tensions. Ankara is reportedly seeking to join a military pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which commits the two countries to mutual defense. While Turkish sources confirm a desire for deeper security ties with Riyadh, they indicate that a formal, NATO-style alliance is still premature. President Erdogan is expected to visit the Gulf to discuss security matters, with exploratory talks already underway with the Saudis on areas of joint interest from Syria to the Horn of Africa.