Saudi Arabia

This paper reviews the responses of Middle Eastern countries to the spread of the coronavirus and highlights diplomatic and defense implications stemming from the situation. The assessment of JISS fellows is that the coronavirus crisis will not fundamentally change power dynamics in the region or alter the prevailing ambitions and policies of key countries.

Israel needs to make clear to Washington the harm done in the region, and the potential for more harm, by the perception of American policy disarray, weakness and withdrawal.

The key to avoiding a Saudi-style debacle in Israel is prior intelligence and seamless early warning systems.

Will Saudi Arabia establish full diplomatic ties with Israel?
Dr. Joshua Krasna: I don’t think it’s likely we will see formal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, or indeed with any of the Gulf Arab states, at any time in the near future.

Why is murder by Iran, but not Saudi Arabia, permissible?
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: While it is outrageous for President Trump to let Saudi Arabia get away with murder, the atomic agreement was also indefensible. At the end of the day this is about realpolitik.

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.

The assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul is a fascinating story with potentially far-reaching regional and global implications. How will it affect Israel?

The Saudi Crown Prince isn’t a democrat or a strategic savior, but don’t give the evil leaders of Turkey and Iran a victory by weakening US-Saudi ties.

Khashoggi and the Jewish Question.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: “It is certainly not in Israel’s interests to see the status of the Saudi government diminished in Washington.”

Bad management, corruption and a failure of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to generate expected levels of foreign investment compound the problem.

SAUDIS PUBLICLY OPPOSE U.S. EXITING SYRIA WHILE ISRAEL OBJECTS QUIETLY
Col. Lerman: US withdrawal from Syria would have very negative consequences for Israel and the region

Funds and favor for Saudi Arabia 2.0, and also to smash Iran.

Israel should not bear-hug the problematic Saudis, nor fall prey to over-enthusiastic fantasies. Don’t assume that MBS is the answer to Israel’s prayers in facing-down Iran.

Y. Amidror: "The Saudis have crossed the Rubicon"

On Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Interview with Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman

A few seemingly unrelated incidents that took place across the Middle East this week all seem to point out that much of the regional unrest can be traced back to Iran, which is backing Shiite forces from Pakistan to Syria. That is unlikely to change.