Pakistan’s ‘Always and Forever’ Mecca Pact Faces Limits

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreements that sound very permanent and powerful.

However, one analyst says they are not the same as NATO’s mutual-defense system.

He believes the agreements are mostly meant to discourage attacks.

Pakistan has sent some soldiers and weapons to Riyadh.

But Pakistan has not taken part in fighting, or kinetic activities.

Another expert says this is understandable.

Saudi Arabia faces problems involving a failed state near its border and an important sea passage.

Other countries may not want to become involved in that conflict.