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Source: https://jcfa.org/egypt-turkey-and-pakistan-forge-a-new-political-security-axis/
Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan Forge a New Political-Security Axis
(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - The London-based daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported on July 19 that Egypt had concluded a joint military exercise with Turkey that brought together Egyptian airborne and commando units alongside Turkish special forces, part of an accelerating process of military rapprochement between Cairo and Ankara. The two countries signed a framework agreement on military cooperation during Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Cairo in February. Within a few months, the two militaries have conducted several joint exercises across air, land, and sea. Senior Israeli security officials noted that Egypt also held a series of operational meetings with the Pakistani Navy and has conducted a series of joint exercises over the past year. From Egypt's perspective, Pakistan represents a partner of considerable strategic value. According to senior Israeli security officials, the weakening of Iranian influence across several regional arenas, uncertainty surrounding future American engagement, the continuation of regional conflicts, and growing competition over trade routes and energy corridors are all driving Middle Eastern states to seek new regional security arrangements. Senior security officials say Egyptian officials have assured their American counterparts that expanding cooperation with Ankara and Islamabad should not be interpreted as the formation of an anti-Israel alliance. Nevertheless, Israeli security officials argue that the growing series of joint exercises, defense agreements, and high-level military exchanges among Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan indicates that a much broader strategic partnership is quietly taking shape. They are gradually building interoperable capabilities across the air, maritime, and special operations domains. Senior Israeli security officials say a new Sunni axis is emerging, preparing to fill the strategic vacuum expected to be left by the collapse of the Iranian-led Shiite "Axis of Resistance" following the anticipated fall of the regime in Tehran. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center.