Turkey seeks to expand regional influence via Egypt and Mecca Pact

Turkey is seeking to expand its influence across the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean by encouraging Egypt to join the Mecca Pact. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently visited Cairo to discuss the agreement, which includes a mutual defense clause stating that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all—a provision Fidan compared to NATO’s Article 5.

While Ankara aims to position itself as a primary security provider for Sunni Muslim nations, the Egyptian leadership has maintained a cautious stance. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that while Cairo is aware of the initiative, the commitments required by such a defense pact necessitate detailed study before any decision is made.

Simultaneously, Turkey is working to strengthen security ties with Saudi Arabia and Libya. The diplomatic maneuvering follows reports of disagreements regarding Egypt's role in the pact, with some sources suggesting Saudi Arabia had reservations about Egypt's participation due to perceived shifts in its strategic and military value.