Beeckmans Bruno

1974

[Patricia Marins @pati_marins64]

Iran invited to the Mecca Pact: What does it mean?

Iran confirmed it was invited to join the Mecca Pact, the defensive military alliance between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.

Although no word has been said by the 3 founding members, the secrecy is strategic. Officially confirming Iran’s entry before the terms regarding militias are negotiated would trigger immediate, harsh diplomatic retaliation from Israel and the United States.

This invitation directly involves what I addressed yesterday: who pays the bill for peace in the Gulf, and how. In geopolitical conflicts, imposing military agreements usually serve as a facade to solve urgent economic and logistical bottlenecks.

The inclusion or rapprochement of Iran in the Mecca Pact is, fundamentally, a diplomatic gambit to end Tehran’s economic suffocation and secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, within that regional economic arrangement I mentioned yesterday.

Saudi Arabia and its neighbors saw their ports and refineries become targets, and their economies faltered under the blockade of the strait.

They need to reopen the maritime route at all costs to salvage their development plans, but such a move is impossible without looking like a military victory for Trump. Amidst all this, Iran signaled it accepts negotiating the management of the Strait of Hormuz and easing the blockade.

The invitation to the pact operates as a bargaining chip and a security guarantee that Arab neighbors will not support attacks on Iranian soil if the route is cleared.

But more than that, by accepting dialogue or entering the Mecca Pact, Iran shatters the US and Israeli strategy of complete isolation. Sitting at the table with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan grants Tehran the status of a legitimate and indispensable political actor for stability.

For the GCC, financing the neighbor’s reconstruction is not an act of charity, but a security strategy. It must be consolidated within a regional bloc that also encompasses defense aspects.
Significant progress has already been made.

The sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait would inject billions into the Iranian economy, but the disbursements would be tied to the gradual dismantling of armed militia financing, and this remains a hurdle.

What Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are offering Iran is a political space for Tehran to control its militias without looking like it surrendered to the West.

With adherence to the pact, these issues would be discussed internally, holding Iran accountable, which will continue to control its militias. The goal is not to achieve a perfect peace, but to create game rules restrictive enough to make Iran think twice before triggering its regional satellites.

It looks like an arrangement that could work, not by itself, but because there is now a clear desire to resolve the bottlenecks that were halting the dialogue. Trump knows this and wants the same bottlenecks resolved, but without further damage to his image.

And where does Israel stand in this?

Read more:
https://t.co/itTE3AU6xE

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

On August 23, 1989, about 2 million people from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania formed a 600 km long human chain that united all 3 countries to show the world their desire to leave the Soviet Union and Communism.

[OTAN en français @OTAN_FR]

Eastern Sentry : flexibilité, force et réactivité🛡️

Par cette nouvelle activité, l’OTAN renforce encore ses moyens de défense dans la partie est du territoire de l’Alliance ✈️

[Belgian Air Force🇧🇪 @BeAirForce]

🇸🇪 Congratulations to @flygvapnet on its 100th anniversary and the Jubilee Air Show at Malmen Air Base. Celebrating 100 years of aviation excellence and service.

[Angelica Shalagina🇺🇦 @angelshalagina]

Karma
Doesn’t need
GPS.

It knows exactly
Where russia is🔥

[NATO Maritime Command @NATO_MARCOM]

👀 Eyes on the Baltic. WATCH a French Navy 🇫🇷Atlantique 2 conduct a maritime surveillance flight over the #BalticSea as part of #BalticSentry, monitoring maritime traffic and critical undersea infrastructure while reassuring Baltic Allies.

[Laurent Lagneau @zonemilitaire]

L’Allemagne envisage d’investir 12 milliards d’euros pour se doter de capacités de frappe à très longue portée https://t.co/sL1LiOAy5s

[America Army @AmericaSpoof]

🚨 BREAKING

According to reports, the U.S. military is moving some of its most advanced and dangerous air defense systems toward strategic positions under the cover of darkness.

The growing military activity suggests that something major could be about to happen.

[Daractenus @Daractenus]

This is a pretty solid confirmation that a new mass mobilization is both planned and expected.

[International Defence Analysis @Defence_IDA]

Swedish Gripen Conducts First Taurus KEPD 350 Cruise Missile Launch.

A Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen C has successfully launched a Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile for the first time during a live-fire test at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden.

The Swedish Air Force released footage of the test on August 21, 2026, marking an important milestone in the integration of the Taurus long-range strike weapon with the Gripen C.

The successful launch represents a significant step toward introducing a new deep-strike capability into Swedish military service.

[Defense Intelligence @DI313_]

TURKEY VS ISRAEL? A NEW REGIONAL FLASHPOINT

🇹🇷🇮🇱 A direct conflict between Turkey and Israel is becoming a possibility.

Turkey is reportedly moving weapons, military equipment and logistical support into Syria following Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al Duhur military airbase.

One major factor to watch is Israel’s weapons stockpiles. After years of sustained military operations across the Middle East, concerns over ammunition and interceptor supplies are growing, with Israeli journalist Yossi Yehoshua also warning about the strain.

Turkey also has the second largest standing military in NATO and a significantly larger conventional force than Iran.

If tensions escalate while Israel faces stockpile pressure and the United States is already dealing with multiple strategic challenges, the consequences could be severe.

The biggest question: Would NATO stay out of a direct Turkey Israel confrontation?

[War Radar @War_Radar2]

JUST IN: 🇬🇧 UK’s Next-Generation “Stratus” Missile Nears Testing, Range Classified

The UK Ministry of Defence says development of the Stratus cruise and anti ship missile is nearing the demonstration phase, with full scale testing planned for 2028.

The missile’s airframe, engine, warhead and guidance system have reportedly been completed.

🇬🇧 Stratus is expected to be integrated with Typhoon and Rafale fighters, as well as naval platforms including Type 26 frigates.

The UK has refused to reveal its range, confirming only that it will exceed Storm Shadow’s 560 km and Harpoon’s 220 km.

Britain is preparing a new long range strike weapon, and its true reach remains classified.

[Mark Carney @MarkJCarney]

For over a year, Canada has worked intensively and in good faith with the United States to negotiate a new comprehensive trade deal. We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. Our goal has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame.

Late last evening I instructed our negotiators to return to Ottawa. We cannot accept what the U.S. has offered, and we will not give what they have asked. 

Canada will match the U.S.’ new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses. We take this step confident that it is in the best interests of Canada. 

In the coming days, we will release the details of these new tariff measures, which will come into force the Tuesday after Labour Day.

[Iran Observer @IranObserver0]

⚡️JUST IN: The United Arab Emirates has begun protecting its Oil Storage Tanks with Cages against Drone Attacks

This approach could become Widespread throughout the Middle East

Although it will not be effective against Missile Strikes

[TWZ @thewarzonewire]

Saab Unveils Stealthy Supersonic ‘Fighter Drone’ Concept

The advanced drone could become a high-end collaborative companion to the Gripen E, and may also shape Saab’s next crewed combat aircraft.
https://t.co/YA0tKR5Fxt

[NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum - JFCBS @NATOJFCBS]

A glimpse of @NATO 3.0 in the sky ✈️

@Saab CEO Micael Johansson welcomed General Ingo Gerhartz and personally showed our Commander the GlobalEye, NATO’s next-generation airborne surveillance and command and control system.

The first aircraft are set to arrive in the early 2030s.

NATO 3.0 is taking shape — and it looks pretty impressive. 😉✈️

#WeAreNATO

[NATO Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk - JFCNF @JFCNorfolk]

🇮🇸#NorthernViking2026 is underway.⚔️🛡️

Allied forces have gathered in Iceland as Exercise Northern Viking 26 begins — strengthening readiness, interoperability and the collective defence of the strategically vital North Atlantic and High North.❄️

Operating across multiple domains, Allies will train to defend Iceland and protect the sea lines of communication through the GIUK Gap — a critical link between North America and Europe.

Training together. Defending together. Keeping the Atlantic secure. 🛡️

#WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether #ArcticSentry

@SHAPE_NATO | @NATO_MARCOM | @SNMCMG1 | @MFAIceland | @IcelandNATO | @BelgiumDefence | @BelgiumNATO | @BeAirForce | @DK_NATO | @forsvaretdk | @FranceOTAN | @EtatMajorFR | @NorwayNATO | @Forsvaret_no | @PLinNATO |
@MON_GOV_PL | @DowOperSZ | @US_EUCOM | @USNavyEurope | @USNATO | @CanadaNATO | @CanadaOTAN | @CanadianForces | @LTU_ArmedForces | @LithuaniaNATO | @GermanyNATO | @bundeswehrInfo | @FinlandatNATO | @Puolustusvoimat | @thorgkatrin

[Belgian Defence @BelgiumDefence]

Sur la base aérienne de Luke, en #Arizona 🇺🇸, deux instructeurs belges du 312th Fighter Squadron ont effectué le premier largage de bombes GBU-12 à bord d'un #F35 🇧🇪 https://t.co/MGjMDp7NHf

[UK Defence Attaché in Sweden @UKDefenceSweden]

God morgon #Sverige from the birthplace of Swedish Air Power ✈️ in Linköping (Malmen). A fantastisk start to @flygvapnet Air and Space Power Symposium and ahead of the Centenary Air Show tomorrow.

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇵🇸🇮🇱 (EN/FR/NL) Belgium joins the countries that find it unacceptable that the Israeli authorities have taken a decision contrary to international law, a decision that jeopardizes the hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The settlements are illegal. Our government continues to oppose them and reaffirms the need to preserve the chances for a peaceful and lasting two-state solution.
—
La Belgique se joint aux pays qui trouvent inacceptable que les autorités israéliennes aient pris une décision contraire au droit international, qui met par ailleurs en péril l’espoir d’une paix entre Israéliens et Palestiniens.
Les colonies sont illégales. Notre gouvernement continue de s’y opposer et réaffirme la nécessité de préserver les chances d’une cohabitation pacifique et durable à deux États.
—
België sluit zich aan bij de landen die het onaanvaardbaar vinden dat de Israëlische autoriteiten een besluit hebben genomen dat in strijd is met het internationaal recht, een besluit dat de hoop op vrede tussen Israëliërs en Palestijnen in gevaar brengt.
De nederzettingen zijn illegaal. Onze regering blijft zich ertegen verzetten en herbevestigt de noodzaak om de kansen op een vreedzame en duurzame tweestatenoplossing te behouden.

https://t.co/5hax5TTacJ

@BelgiumMFA