Former US diplomat and ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles Freeman has described the US-Israeli war against Iran as an “unprecedented strategic disaster” for both Washington and "Israel", arguing that the war has weakened US military credibility, accelerated regional efforts to reduce reliance on Washington, and increased the possibility of Iran pursuing a nuclear deterrent.

In an interview published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Diwan on August 31, Freeman said the war demonstrated the limits of US military power while undermining Washington’s standing among its allies and partners in West Asia. The interview was conducted by Michael Young and focused on the recent Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, as well as the wider regional consequences of the war on Iran.

Freeman, who served as US ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1989 to 1992 and later as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, argued that the Mecca agreement reflects a broader push by regional states toward strategic autonomy.

Mecca agreement reflects push for regional autonomy

According to Freeman, the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement should not be viewed as a conventional military alliance comparable to NATO. He described it instead as an “entente” aimed at promoting strategic autonomy, noting that it lacks a unified military command, an external patron or enemy, and unconditional mutual defense commitments.

“The goal of the Mecca Defense Agreement is not collective defense but the promotion of strategic autonomy,” Freeman said, arguing that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are seeking to reduce their dependence on Washington while diversifying their defense relationships with other major powers.

He said the agreement could also encourage the development of indigenous military industries and diversification of arms imports, which its members could view as a way to reduce their vulnerability to politically motivated disruptions in defense supply chains.

Freeman also argued that the emerging regional order cannot be understood solely through the lens of US competition with China and Russia. He said the international system is becoming increasingly “multi-nodal” as countries gain greater freedom to form partnerships based on their own interests.

Source:Websites