Publications

The continuation of the détente trend in the Middle East, coupled with the war between Israel and Hamas, is contributing to Israel’s isolation in the region. In this article, we assess the regional détente implications for Arab countries and highlight the importance of advancing normalization between Israel and these countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, to counterbalance Iran’s growing influence and that of its allies, which could endanger Israel.

Since October 7, Jordan has been facing two escalating challenges: First, Iran and its affiliated regional militias are challenging Jordanian sovereignty, as they aim to turn the kingdom’s airspace and territory into a battleground for smuggling weapons and launching attacks against Israel. Second, Islamist forces, both domestic and foreign, are pressuring the kingdom to cancel the peace treaty and normalization with Israel and align with Hamas. The palace’s ability to face both challenges is likely to shape relations between Israel...

In an effort to advance normalization with Israel, Saudi Arabia faces muted but significant public opposition, which has been exacerbated following the war in Gaza. The popular rejection takes many forms: There is a religious dimension, which views a peace with Israel as contrary to Islamic law; a pro-Palestinian dimension, which regards opposition to normalization as a demonstration of support for the Palestinians; and a liberal perspective, which cautions that ties with Israel could empower the Saudi regime to further violate human...

As part of the American-led efforts to use diplomatic means to end the fighting that has been ongoing for nearly five months between Israel and Hezbollah, the need to demarcate an agreed-upon border between Israel and Lebanon was also on the agenda. The Lebanese government is eager to include border demarcation in any ceasefire agreement and has adopted the same policy on this matter as Hezbollah, linking an end to the fighting to the cessation of Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip and presenting a hardline maximalist approach to...

As part of the preparations for “the day after” the war in the Gaza Strip, the United States aims to formulate a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia and to involve Saudi Arabia in the Palestinian arena, including the Gaza Strip. Against this backdrop, and considering the time that has elapsed since the Arab Peace Initiative was issued as well as the increasing significance of the Palestinian issue in the Arab region, there is a need for a renewed and updated Arab peace initiative. A new initiative would bridge...

The war in the Gaza Strip impacts relations between Israel and Morocco in several contradictory ways. On the one hand, the conflict has not harmed their shared political, security, or economic interests. Nor has it undermined the reality that both countries are part of a regional axis intent on promoting regional stability based on economic cooperation and development. On the other hand, the royal palace in Rabat faces significant domestic and regional pressure to do more for the Palestinian cause and even to reassess its relations...

The surprise attack on Israel and the ensuing Swords of Iron war have created a dangerous geopolitical security crisis, which inter alia challenges the processes of reconciliation and normalization between Israel and Arab countries. However, the crisis could also provide a historic window of opportunity for a joint agreement between Israel, the United States, and the pragmatic Sunni states who seek the best for the Middle East and prefer to cooperate for the sake of regional calm and stability. The climate crisis is among the...

The October 7 calamity – the worst Israel has experienced in the 75 years of its existence – brings with it a strategic opportunity of historic proportions: a willingness among regional and international actors to form a coalition against Hamas and Iran and its proxies, which operate across the Middle East and beyond. However, in order to take advantage of this golden opportunity, Israel must take meaningful political and public measures, particularly regarding a political process with the Palestinians. Yet the current Israeli...

In the framework of the regional initiative promoted by the US administration, Saudi Arabia hopes to sign a defense pact with the United States. A strengthened US commitment to an important ally such as Saudi Arabia and an increased US military presence in the Middle East are clearly in Israel’s interest. Therefore, Israel should not have a serious problem with a US security commitment to the Kingdom, including a defense pact between the two countries. However, Jerusalem should try to guarantee that a robust defense pact will obviate...

The policy of the Israeli government in the Palestinian arena and domestic pressure on the Royal House of Bahrain challenge realization of the potential of the bilateral relations. Bahrain’s benefit from the normalization does not live up to the expectations, at least in the economic aspect. Therefore, if this has not already occurred, contacts are likely to stagnate.