Gulf states

A flurry of Middle East-related Russian diplomatic activity is noteworthy because it reflects Moscow’s multi-faceted approach to the region.

The Houthis provide deniability for an Iranian campaign of aggression.

A Cold Egyptian-Israeli Peace Undermines Both Culture and Security
The old paradigm of scapegoating Israel undermines Egyptian national security interests. Prof. Efraim Inbar: Egyptian distrust of Israel is rooted in cultural and religious barriers.

It is possible to restore American bipartisan backing for Israel. Therefore, it is important to avoid being too identified with President Trump, despite Israeli gratitude due to him for many of his policies. Bonds between Israel and American Jewry should be bolstered; bridges should be built to both sides of the aisle in Congress; and US defense establishment support should be solicited. All this, in view of Israel's need to influence decisions in Washington on matters vital to its future.

On Arabian Gulf tensions
Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar

Experts predict what Israel can expect from new administration
A conference held by JISS and B’nai B’rith International looked at the likely foreign policy priorities of the Biden administration, ranging from COVID-19 to climate change and Iran.

Morocco has maintained open channels with Israel for many years, and it values the unique Jewish contribution to its heritage. A new pattern of normalization with Israel now extends from the Atlantic to the Gulf. Morocco’s coordination with the US also is a vital part of the emerging alignment of forces of stability in the region. Israel now should give this breakthrough a firm grounding in policies beneficial to both peoples.

Trump's Middle East peace plan and the recent Israel-Arab peace accords limit Chinese influence in the region. Countering this, China is advancing a collective security concept for the region based on the JCPOA. The US and Israel must stymie this Chinese gambit and reinforce the Abraham Accords.

What the next US administration could mean for Israel and the Middle East
David M. Weinberg of JISS: A Biden administration may downplay the Jewish-Islamic religious reconciliation discourse that underlies the 'Abraham Accords'.

Experts believe Israel unlikely to drop lucrative arms sales to Azerbaijan
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Israel will honor its contracts with Azerbaijan. What they do is not our responsibility.

Progress, not peace: Breaking down the Trump-brokered deals between Israel, Arab states
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Unfortunately, the Palestinian liberation national movement still has dreams that are unlikely to be achieved.

EU welcomes normalisation of relations between Israel and Gulf States
Prof. Efraim Inbar: The Palestinians will have to adopt a more mature policy and understand that no side can realize all its dreams.

The diplomatic moves toward Israel taken by the UAE and Bahrain make it clear that Arab states can act in their own national interest when it comes to international politics, rather than abide by a stale lowest common denominator of "Arab consensus."

On Israeli flights over Saudi Arabia and regional normalization
Dr. Emmanuel Navon on i24news

With UAE-Israel normalization, Trump's plan finally lifts off
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: The UAE-Israel agreement is not simply of only bilateral interest, but, rather, significantly strengthens one of the regional “camps” over the others in their struggle that reaches across the length and width of the Mideast, from Yemen to Lebanon, Iraq to Libya.

Israel-UAE Deal Tips Energy Cooperation
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: The priority is to have the UAE on board in the geopolitical struggle with the Iranians and the Turks.

On the significance of the diplomatic agreement with the UAE
Dr. Eran Lerman to i24news

The deal is a clear win for Israel, the UAE and the US. Netanyahu gets a face-saving, significant reward for not doing something (annexation) he was not going to be able to do anyway in the current political/diplomatic context.

Trump’s Peace Plan Rescues Benjamin Netanyahu. For Now.
General Yaakov Amidror: In the Middle East, never assume the promise of future success is equivalent to actual success. Netanyahu masterfully turns lemons into lemonade.

Israel’s historic peace deal with UAE could be just the beginning
Dr. Joshua Krasna: Since 2007, there has been a steady drumbeat of a message that Israel is improving its relations with moderate Arab countries.

Does Israel need pacts with Persian Gulf that Katz is trying to secure?
Prof. Inbar: “This has to be gradual. The informal is at times stronger than the formal. We should deepen these ties without making this more difficult for Gulf countries.”

Does Bahrain Expect Returns on Its Now-Public Association With Israel?
Omer Dostri: Israel-Bahrain ties are based on a common front against Iran’s hostile and subversive activities in the Middle East.

Official: Israel must be careful in its relations with Gulf states.

Former IDF Deputy Chief: Israel Should Be Wary Of Gulf States.
Israeli, Turkish, and other leaders discuss regional cooperation in Eastern Mediterranean, warn of Iranian ambitions.

EX-IDF DEPUTY CHIEF: BEWARE OF GULF STATES, THEIR VALUES ARE DIFFERENT THAN OURS .
Yair Golan says Israel should solidify control of Golan Heights, deal more closely with Kurds.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Oman, the first overt visit in over twenty years by an Israeli prime minister to an Arab country that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, is extremely significant. However, formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states will not develop without an Israeli-Palestinian agreement. While it may view positively the steps of other Gulf states to increase the visibility of their ties with Israel and it may even encourage them, Saudi Arabia itself will not formal ties with Israel in the foreseeable future either.