Lead

As the US-Israel war with Iran reshapes the Middle East, a new constellation of regional powers is moving to claim influence over the post-war order, according to reports from the South China Morning Post and the Jerusalem Post. The grouping, reportedly led by Turkey and Saudi Arabia and including Egypt and Pakistan, is pressing for a negotiated settlement and seeking to ensure that the region’s future is not dictated solely by Washington, Israel, or Iran.

Coverage Comparison

The South China Morning Post describes a “new Middle East” emerging as regional powers jockey for influence, highlighting a “regional coordination framework” comprising NATO member Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt—described as the Arab world’s largest military power—and nuclear-armed Pakistan. The report, citing King’s College London defence studies professor Andreas Krieg, notes that fear of US abandonment is pushing states to build “diplomatic mass,” even if they cannot yet form an integrated military bloc. Krieg is quoted as saying a “mixed system” is emerging, with multilateral formats handling grand strategic questions while hard security remains dominated by Washington and remnants of Tehran’s proxy network.

The Jerusalem Post offers a different emphasis, framing the war with Iran as creating “a real opportunity for regional realignment.” Its analysis focuses on the historical division between the so-called “moderate axis” (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan) and a rival bloc led by Turkey, which supported Islamist movements. The report notes that the Abraham Accords of 2020 reinforced this division, but that subsequent shocks—such as the 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities and the lack of a meaningful US response—prompted key actors like Saudi Arabia and Egypt to hedge, reopening channels with Turkey and diversifying their strategic options.

Both outlets agree that the war with Iran has accelerated a shift toward a more fluid and multipolar regional order, though they differ in their framing: the South China Morning Post emphasizes the practical coordination among the four powers, while the Jerusalem Post places the developments within a longer narrative of shifting alliances and the elevation of Israel’s position.

Key Claims

  • Formation of a regional coordination framework: According to the South China Morning Post, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan are part of a “regional coordination framework” pressing for a negotiated settlement to the Iran war. This claim is reported by a single source and has not been independently confirmed.
  • Pakistan’s dual role: The same report states that Pakistan is acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington while also representing the interests of its regional partners, particularly Riyadh. This is a single-source claim.
  • Hedging by Saudi Arabia and Egypt: The Jerusalem Post reports that Saudi Arabia and Egypt have reopened channels with Turkey and diversified their strategic options, following the 2019 attacks and the October 7 aftermath. This is presented as analysis from a single outlet.
  • Abraham Accords and regional division: The Jerusalem Post describes the Abraham Accords of 2020 as reinforcing the division between the moderate axis and Turkey-led bloc. This is a single-source interpretation.
  • Israel’s elevated position: The Jerusalem Post asserts that Israel has elevated its position as a regional power, though specifics are not provided in the available text.

Perspectives

South China Morning Post Perspective: Emphasizes the emergence of a new, pragmatic coalition of regional powers seeking a negotiated settlement and a more multipolar order, driven by overlapping interests and a shared fear of US abandonment. The tone is neutral, relying on expert opinion.

Jerusalem Post Perspective: Frames the development as part of a historical realignment, highlighting the erosion of the old moderate camp and the hedging strategies of key Arab states. The tone is analytical but reflects a center-right, Israel-centric viewpoint, suggesting that Israel’s position has been strengthened by these shifts.

Both reports indicate that the post-war order remains uncertain, with multiple actors vying for influence and no single bloc dominating.