New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- The United States formally brought down the curtain on its military mission in Iraq on Wednesday, ending one of the major chapters of its presence in the Middle East in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

This move comes at a crucial time in Middle East's security history. On the day when Washington announced the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, Pakistan has said that it would be using whatever means necessary to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, thus invoking the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

This statement by Pakistan comes at a time when the Houthis have intensified their campaign in Yemen, threatening sstrategic territory and shipping routes around the Bab el-Mande...