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Oct 19, 2026
Major General Harsha Kakar

The Mecca Pact and Houthis

The Mecca pact, inked between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on 07 Aug this year, was activated on 05 Oct, following continuing attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia as also its backed government in Yemen. Yemen and Saudi Arabia share a common border. The activation followed an emergency meeting of representatives of the pact. Pakistan had recently appointed a retired Lt Gen as the first secretary general of the Mecca pact. The war in Yemen, between the UN-recognised Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, backed by Iran, has been ongoing for about 12 years. The Saudis joined the conflict by launching airstrikes against the Houthis in March 2015. The UN brokered a ceasefire in 2022, stayed in place for a couple of years. Tensions escalated in July this year when Yemeni government forces launched an attack on Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian flight from landing. The Houthis claimed the flight was bringing back those who attended the funeral of the Ayatollah in Tehran, while Riyadh believed it had weapons and Iranian advisors on board. The war escalated in August when the Houthis launched a major attack and captured the Bab al-Mandeb straits, claiming the truce was already broken. Escalation continued thereafter. Nations have been indirectly involved in Yemen over the years. UAE, Saudi and Iran have backed different factions, while the US and the Saudis have launched air attacks on the Houthis. Other European nations have provided logistics, intelligence and weapons to the Yemeni government. Yemen has no oil or gas reserves which could invite direct big power intervention. The ongoing conflict is a brutal guerilla war resulting in thousands of deaths, with neither side capable of achieving victory. A nation deploying forces in support of one party may find it difficult to pull out. Saudi Arabia has been compelled into the conflict to secure its southern border and keep Iran backed Houthis at bay. The intent is to prevent them from striking its oil infrastructure and its cities. Pakistan had already deployed military personnel alongside air defence resources in Saudi Arabia based on its Aug 2025 inked SMDA (Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement). This was in response to missile and drone attacks from Iran. However, none of its systems was activated. It is reported to have deployed approximately a division strength as part of the Mecca Pact. This is all Rawalpindi can spare considering its ongoing operations in its western provinces, internal protests including in POK alongside tensions with India and Afghanistan. Capabilities moved to Saudi, apart from ground troops, are air power, air defence, rockets and anti-drone systems. Turkey has moved EW systems and air defence, as also provided specialised drone operators and intelligence, claiming deployment of troops for offensive operations is not within the charter of the Mecca Pact. Neither nation wants to be drawn into the Yemen conflict. Reports also mention that at the end of September, Pakistan moved four cargo aircraft containing weapons, including air defence systems, drones, anti-drone systems and artillery to Aden to support the Saudi backed Yemen government. There are also reports that Pakistan has deployed advisors alongside their Saudi counterparts with Yemen government forces. The Pakistan government described these as defensive measures. However, the movement of weapons and deployment of advisors is anything but defensive. Pakistan was also mediating between Iran and the US. Iran is the strongest backer of the Houthis and has been providing resources, technology and funds. The agreement inked between Iran and the US on 17-18 June was termed the Islamabad MoU. Now, with its involvement in the conflict on the side of Saudi Arabia, its role has largely been taken over by Qatar, though Pakistan continues claiming backchannel communication with Iran seeking to resolve the conflict. The exchange of messages between the US and Iran is now done by Qatar. If Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict against Yemen increases, it will impact its relations with Iran. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi Political Bureau, mentioned that any nation joining combat operations in Yemen, directly or indirectly, in support of Saudi Arabia or its backed government, would be targeted in response. The Houthis are demanding Riyadh lift its naval blockade of the country. The deployment of Pakistani and Turkish forces in Saudi Arabia has not stopped the Houthis from attacking Saudi’s oil and airport infrastructure. Even Iran warned Pakistan, with its spokesperson mentioning, “The countries of the region are well aware that any intervention in the Yemen issue could have undesirable consequences for the region.” Interestingly, Iran offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. How does a defensive deployment, as claimed by Pakistan, impact the ongoing conflict? It is unlikely that the Houthis would invade Saudi Arabia, necessitating involvement of ground forces deployed under the Mecca Pact. In that sense, the deployment is solely to convey a political message of unity. Only air defence and anti-drone resources are likely to be employed. Successful attacks by the Houthis imply that Pakistan’s resources have either not been activated or its equipment has failed, as it did in Sindoor. With the war raging in Yemen, it is possible that if government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, begin losing ground, Saudi air power, supported by Pakistan, would be involved. This could have serious ramifications. Unofficial reports mention that this has commenced. If so, it is a matter of time before the Houthis decide to target Pakistan cities. Yemen has both Muslim sects, Shia and Sunni. Saudi Arabia and the UN-recognised Yemeni government is Sunni, while the Houthis are Shia. Pakistan has both sects, with Shias comprising about 15-20% of the population. In case Pakistan enters the conflict, it will lead to sectarian violence in Yemen. The Shias in Pakistan had opposed the signing of the Mecca Pact as they believed that supporting Riyadh would compromise ties with Shia-ruled Iran. In 2015, when Saudi Arabia entered the Yemen conflict for the first time, Pakistan’s parliament had voted to remain neutral, fearing sectarian violence and retaliation from Iran. This time, Asim Munir deployed the Pakistan Army without consultation with parliament, aware that he has lifetime immunity for his actions and also controls the nation. The government has remained silent. Further, the Yemen conflict is unlikely to end soon. Any nation sucked into it may find it difficult to pull out. Saudi Arabia and Yemen are neighbours, and Pakistan has no role except that it is a puppet of Riyadh and dependent on it for financial support. While Turkey has wormed its way out by sending only equipment, specialists and advisors, it is Pakistan which has been compelled to deploy troops on the ground. It is just a matter of time before these troops are sucked into the conflict in Yemen and open an additional front, and also increase enmity with Iran.

Oct 19, 2026
Viren S Doshi

Indian Hindu Americans and American Midterm Elections

Overview As Hindu or Indian Americans, the choice between Republicans and Democrats should not be that difficult. The community is highly intelligent, fairly wise, law-abiding and mostly adaptable, loyal to adopted land, believing in dedication to Karmabhoomi. That puts them on par with any of the patriotic American citizens. Republicans Republicans stand for America of the vision of the American Founders who fought against Colonialism and who founded Democratic Meritocratic America, and stand or are expected to stand for Democracy and Nationalism or Patriotism, and for American (or Human) values like freedom, liberty, minimum government, maximum self-government and equal protection under law. Mainstream Republicans emphasise constitutional originalism, border enforcement, energy independence, school choice, and scepticism of large-scale cultural interventions based in Wokeism. However, there are certain issues because of their natural or spontaneous affinity for Whites and Christianity. There are certain fringe Republicans who are at the extreme of “nationalism” - White Racists, White Supremacists and Extremist Christians. Of all Abrahamic Religions, as interpreted widely, Islam sanctions violence and proselytisation, Christianity sanctions proselytisation, and Judaism doesn't advocate either Proselytisation or Violence. Christianity, if truly followed, is non-violent. It clearly stands for non-violence. Today's Vatican itself has turned woke, people say. It doesn't have the inclination to issue Papal bulls for inquisition nor there are Christians in the USA ready with guns waiting for such orders. Similarly, White Racism or Supremacism is but Colonialism in a way. America, of its Founders' vision, should not and does not sanction White Racism; America was born to oppose Colonialism. White Racism amounting to violence requires structures apart from diabolical instigation from online social media bot accounts in democracies paid for by Communists, Leftists, Socialists, Globalists, Wokeists and Jihadis. No one ever finds hate talk against Chinese and Muslim Americans or Chinese and Muslim Immigrants (though they are more in number) in posts and comments on these bot accounts. This in itself speaks a lot about who is doing the farming of these accounts. Extremist Violent Christianity and White Racism are anti-thesis of America as envisioned by its hallowed founders. Explicit white-supremacist or theocratic Christian nationalists are marginal within the Republican coalition and are routinely repudiated by party leaders and voters; their influence is real in some online and local spaces but does not define the Republican Platform or governing practice as of now. At times, Mainstream Republicans remain silent against these fringe groups. Mainstream Republicans are not operating in a vacuum; they have their pressure points besides the onslaught of divisive fake narratives spread by leftists. Sometimes they may be afraid of losing their White Votes in tight electoral races. Moreover, the excesses of the BLM (Black Lives Matter) Movement and Antifa might have led them to mute their responses. BLM and Antifa extremist movements are nothing less than Reverse Racism. The same is true about the adverse impact of blatantly uncontrolled illegal immigration as well as widely abused legal immigration, impacting the economy, demography, democracy, law and order situation, general peace and day-to-day life. This has created existential threats and has naturally led to extreme reactions. Add to this the Wokeist movement that de-nationalises the younger generations. It severely and badly impacts faith and families. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are not just frameworks for corporate behaviour and investment; these are vehicles for left-wing political agendas that function as activism rather than sound business strategy, pushing causes related to identity politics, race, and sex that do not align with conservative values. No prudent nation and its people can refrain from reacting in such dangerous circumstances. The party also has to contend with RINOs - Republicans In Name Only members. And there may be planted or fake Republicans who may do acts to malign the nationalist movement. Deep State actors. Lobbyists and Influencers of various types. It is high time the community takes a position to talk its points out with the Republicans. The best way is to prepare a charter of concerns and approach the party forthrightly. Democrats Now let us try to analyse the Democrats. This party apparently stands for democracy and equality. But real centrist Democrats are in the fringe while most of the party is busy promoting the Jihadis, Illegal Immigrants, Wokes, LGBTQ+ glorifiers, Communists, Leftists, Socialists, Anti-Semitics and Anti-Hindus, Activists of Black Lives Matter Movement, Antifa Activists, Environmental Extremists, Globalists, Narco-Terrorists and Anti-Americanists. Entire American Society is being impacted by Wokeism - from Kindergarten children to Adolescents to Women to the aged. The very existence is endangered. The “ideas” have not only impacted the platforms and governing practices, but it has impacted universities, academics, syllabi, schools, kindergartens, corporates and the private sector along with families, like a raging wildfire. In addition, the global power balance has already tilted in favour of the Communist Leftist Socialist Globalist Woke Jihadi Axis led by Communist China. All so-called multilateral fora have been captured by the Axis. Belt and Road Initiative is a powerful tool; war of narratives is another powerful tool, biowarfare and supply chain monopoly as well as resource monopoly are some other dangerous tools tilting the balance further in favour of the Axis. Democracies in nations like the US (and India) are their battlegrounds, while they do not allow even Google- and WhatsApp-like communication channels in China, while they reportedly engineer Intellectual Property theft across the United States. The war is already on an uneven level; there is no level playing field. Democracies are being misused by these vicious, evil transnational neoglobalist forces. So-called “Mainstream Democrats” emphasise expanded social safety nets, civil-rights expansions, climate policy, and multilateral foreign engagement on record, but all of it translates into what has been stated above. The activist left has normalised or downplayed both antisemitism and anti-Hindu actions. They also normalise or downplay glorification of political violence (Antifa-linked actions), and identity frameworks that treat group outcomes as the primary metric of justice. These currents are clearly visible in institutions, media, academia, and coastal and urban political landscapes. A few visas may not help balance this heavy tilt. Ultimately, the visas would be accompanied by hordes of illegal and violent immigrants. “Silence” or selective condemnation occurs when electoral math or donor pressure is involved. The way forward - Threats and Opportunities Hindus and Indian Americans are caught in the middle of this battle. Generally, as Hindus or Indians, they believe in merit based - or say - Karma based order. Issues that specifically affect or interest Indian and Hindu Americans: Community may focus on empirical patterns rather than on rhetoric and narratives. Security, law and order, and geopolitical/strategic/defence matters must prevail; issues must be considered holistically and integratedly, not in isolation. Crime, public order, and cities: Data on homicide, retail theft, and disorder after 2020 show sharp rises in many leftist Democrats-led jurisdictions. Indian Americans, more specifically groups with high small-business ownership, experience this concretely. Foreign policy toward India: Strategic convergence with Democratic India against Communist China has been based on common values and common objectives. Though it is bipartisan since the early 2000s, there are nuances that must be considered in a holistic global geopolitical context, apart from the bilateral prism. Communist Leftist Socialist Globalist Woke Jihadi Axis must be decimated across the globe - this can be the most important benchmark. Democracies must be protected and strengthened. US is actively and speedily repositioning itself under the current conservative administration, challenging almost complete subjugation of multilateral platforms like the UN, WHO and WTO by Communist China. US has radically sided with nationalist priorities and this must be positively understood by all democratic nations. Most of the measures related to the economy and migration that concern India are generic, not India-specific, though certain tremors are more impactful for India. The world is even more connected these days. Long-term vision must get priority, while certain short-term collateral issues start affecting and result in spinning of narratives by the leftists to derail and derange the relationship. Differences appear in emphasis on immigration, trade and human-rights critiques. It may be noted that under the current conservative Trump Administration, trade is steady and rising despite all the brouhaha about tariffs. As reported last, the Graham Act has been put on backburner, as anticipated. What is generally not much talked is investment. Investment is equally important as trade and migration in economic partnership. Investment of each other in each other is tremendously rising under Trump Administration and Modi Government. This makes the two countries well invested in each other. India as a country or as a people has never encouraged illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants are never owned collectively, though they are sheltered at home when deported back. The Congressional body USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) - dominated by Leftist Democrats and headed by a Muslim American nominated by Democrat Hakeem Jeffries - has been continuously criticising India on matters of religious freedom. It also asked to not give visas to RSS officials. But Trump Administration didn't oblige this rabid demand. Meanwhile, defence and strategic ties between the two nations are at an all time high. All these pointers can help select the best party in the Midterms. Religious freedom and anti-Hindu incidents in the US: Documented temple vandalism, campus hostility, and occasional political rhetoric that conflates Hinduism with caste essentialism or Hindutva extremism have risen due to leftist elements. Clearly, anti-RSS, Anti-Hindu, Anti-India, Anti-Modi calls and calls for dismantling Hindutva and a flood of divisive bot posts - all these generate hatred against the community. Anti-Semitic hatred also affects this community, given the best relations between India and Israel as well as Hindus and Jews. Mainstream Republicans have been more willing to name this explicitly; mainstream Democrats have often framed it through broader “hate” or “Islamophobia” lenses that can dilute focus. Recently, Ohio temple attack investigation has revealed that the attacker is not racist. Illinois Aurora temple attacker is portrayed as Nazi and racist, but his antecedents point to something else - this teen is a trans; he is anti-Jew and anti-Hindu. (Not anti-Muslim). He is from a single-parent family. He seems to be a Greek American, not from the hinterland nor a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). Investigators said he is not connected with other white racists or white Supremacists. Some reports said he is a converted Muslim. A court order said he is under gender transition treatment; he is taking hormones by injection. Labelling the attacker a racist is fishy. He is from a broken family and had his guardianship petition endorsed by a relative. He is likely being misused by the left. Other attacks that happened were either by pro-Pakistan Khalistani terrorists or by Jihadis. They get support from leftist Democrats. Immigration and skilled visas: Legal high-skill immigration (H-1B, employment-based green cards) has bipartisan support in principle, but implementation differs. Republican platforms have stressed enforcement first and ending chain migration/lottery systems; Democratic platforms have prioritised pathways for unauthorised immigrants. Backlogs and lottery unpredictability hurt Indian professionals under both. Visa system overhauling may be painful for a while but may be very helpful in the long run. Abuse of the system is never good for any of the stakeholders. Education and culture: Parental rights, curriculum content (Critical Race Theory CRT-adjacent frameworks, gender ideology in early grades), and campus antisemitism/anti-Hindu climate affect families directly. School-choice and curriculum-transparency measures tend to find more consistent Republican support; Democratic majorities in blue states and cities have resisted them. Economy and tech: Indian Americans are heavily concentrated in STEM, medicine, and entrepreneurship. Policies on taxes, regulation, Communist China decoupling, and energy affect these sectors. Outcomes under recent administrations have varied by metric (growth, inflation, manufacturing, stock markets). But generally Republicans as Capitalists are more conducive to ease of doing business in private sector. Stablecoins are going to further entrench dollar against de-dollarisation efforts by Communist China. India has clearly said that it is not in favour of de-dollarisation. Conclusion Voting data show Indian Americans still lean Democratic overall, but the margin has narrowed in recent cycles, especially among men, higher-income professionals, and those prioritising cultural stability or border security. The trend is healthy. Community should not miss the bus now. No prudent group sits out politics. Indian Americans already punch above their weight in tech, medicine, and entrepreneurship. Translating that into organised en bloc political influence (donations, primaries, local office, advocacy) is the rational next step. Exit or mass departure is not a realistic or desirable outcome for a community that has succeeded under American institutions and the American Constitution. Leftist Borderlessness endangers both the American Constitution and the American Nation. The least-harmful choice is the one that best protects the conditions under which high-trust, high-skill communities thrive: rule of law, secure borders, merit-based advancement, religious neutrality rather than hostility, and a culture that does not pathologise achievement or family. The useful exercise is to rank the specific policy outcomes that matter most to you (school content, street safety, U.S.–India strategic depth, tax and regulatory burden, free speech on campus versus issues like visa backlogs). Then examine the actual legislative and administrative records rather than the loudest voices. Then comes candidate positions, which also must be considered diligently. Endorsements and negative lists should follow such careful exercises. (For example, there is perceptible unanimity for Republican Dr Rich McCormick, though he is White and Christian. The same is true for Vivek Ramaswamy. And there is perceptible unanimity against Democrat Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna though they may be Indian and Hindu.) Based on these issues, the community will have to decide what is better or at least less harmful for them. Community will have to unitedly, actively and increasingly participate in the politics of the nation they have adopted. Initiation is required to be taken from community given the current political situation. Community is good at adapting and adopting by and large, but they will have to further adapt and become adept at carving out a niche in American Politics. Otherwise, they will be left nowhere, and a time will come when they will have to exit or will be forced to exit, back to India. India’s foreign-policy interest is in a strong, stable United States that treats the law-abiding, skilled, English-speaking diaspora as an asset. On the other hand, the community has a golden opportunity to further contribute to building a powerful great nation that has good relations with India and the free world. India can always assist and be by their side in these good efforts. Otherwise, even India won't be able to save them except by evacuating them through special flights. Prayers for the well-being of the brilliant community - the Indian Americans. God bless Indian Americans, God bless the US-India relationship, God bless the Free World!