NATO chief meets with Egyptian, Israeli foreign ministers at alliance headquarters
On June 12 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid at the military bloc’s headquarters in Brussels.
Stoltenberg praised Israel as “one of NATO’s most engaged and capable partners,” one of over twenty years’ standing, and a member of the bloc’s Mediterranean Dialogue military partnership.
He chose the occasion to hold Iran to account over its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and demanded it “refrain from all activities which are inconsistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (on endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).
The Israeli minister in turn “declared Israel’s readiness to support the alliance on matters of intelligence, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, climate change, maritime security, missile defense, and civilian emergency management,” and invited the NATO chief to visit Israel. Stoltenberg visited Israel, both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in 2019.
In 2006 NATO granted Israel an Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme (the first ever given) under enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue and Operation Active Endeavour auspices.
In 2016 Israel opened a liaison office (effectively an embassy) at NATO headquarters.
NATO’s Stoltenberg also met with the foreign minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, on July 12. He thanked the latter’s nation for over 25 years of military partnership with NATO, also through the Mediterranean Dialogue. Egypt was given a NATO Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme the year after Israel was.
Both nations have participated in NATO naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and both participated in the U.S.- and Ukraine- hosted 32-nation Sea Breeze war games in the Black Sea which ended on July 10.
Stoltenberg commended the Egyptian foreign minister on the recent renewal of the Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme between the bloc and his country under enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue provisions and pledged to expand military cooperation with the North African nation in new directions.
Of the 22 nations bordering the Mediterranean, including Britain (Gibraltar) but excluding minuscule Monaco and Gaza, all but four are NATO members or partners: Cyprus, Lebanon, Libya and Syria. Libya was being promoted as a Mediterranean Dialogue member after NATO’s air war against it a decade ago, and may be considered for a partnership again now that it is effectively under Turkish military control. Similarly, more than a third of Cyprus is occupied by troops from NATO member Turkey. about:blank Report this ad
What Rome once possessed and Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler attempted to replicate – undisputed control of the Mediterranean – has been accomplished by a U.S.-dominated military alliance.
This is rather jumping to conclusions. Just because all these countries are being polite and friendly, having been given no reason to show animosity towards Biden Administration— means nothing in reality.
In reality, Israel and Egypt have licked horns already over Gaza. Ever since Egypt strolled into Gaza during Israeli bombing with ambulances and evacuated seriously injured — US had to dance a delicate quadrille. US, Gaza Hamas, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
In order to paper over Egypt’s brazen act of interfering in Gaza, US leaned on Israel to end bombing of Gaza, and credited Egypt for helping with ceasefire. The transparent objective is to bring Egypt into fold, and make it dance to US tune.
But Egypt is not done. It sent heavy construction equipment into Gaza, and announced plans for its companies to help with reconstruction. This is when Israel had to put foot down, and “allowed” Egypt to use the heavy machinery to clear out rubble created by bombing — but is not allowed to bring in cement to rebuild. Egypt is not exactly going to obey.
So what is Biden going to do? Get NATO to “embrace@ Egypt reminding it of relationships that existed under Mubarak regime prior to Tahrir Square revolution. Now, Egypt has solid relationship with Russia (bought 120+ fighter planes) in the region (Libya, Sudan). And Saudi Arabia is supporting Egypt. US has now a dilemma. Dies not want to alienate Egypt and Saudi Arabia — but knows Israeli red lines when it comes to iron clad control of Gaza. NATO frolicking in Mediterranean is just to find a way to paper over the conflict. Current weakening of Palestinian Authority and strengthening of Gaza, is both a temptation for Israel, as well as a fear of losing an obedient “two state” partner.
Same dilemma US faces with Turkey. Partnering with Russia in Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan, co-sponsoring Syrian political settlement with Russia and Iran (Astana peace process, as well as recent Turkey-Russia-Iran joint statement condemning Israel for settlements and treatment of Palestinians. Turkey is not giving up Russian missile defense system — actually acquiring more units.
All forms of gathering these countries is far less a show of strength — but more of a collegiate regatta.
As more and more countries now depend on Russia and China for a variety of reasons (food security, energy, security, infrastructure, financing, trade and transport — influence if NATO countries is on the wane.
What remains is the desire to maintain mutually beneficial relationships.
There is oil and natural gas in Gaza. Surprise, surprise. Same in the Golan Heights. Same in Yemen.
Follow the black ooze.
In each case, there are different issues. Thus, there is a different approach US takes to each.
Take Golan Heights. This strategic location used to allow Syria to have military advantage over Israel. This is why Israel wrestled it away. Oil and gas a secondary issues here. The problem for Israel today is that the sentiment of population changed. These clans did not mind being under Israel control for as long as Israel gave them some autonomy. But since attacks on Syria started by US and Israel, and Israel actually helped IS militants and other Salafi militants by evacuating them to Israel for medical treatment — locals became furious. They pelted ambulances with stones, and are now pro-Assad. This is a serious complication to Israel.
Gaza is an entirely different issue. Israel has created the situation where Gaza and Palestinian Authority are at odds. First, Israel supported Hamas Islamic movement to beat Arafat’s party, and has since Oslo created the fake partnership with Palestinian Authority in the name of mythical two-state solution. And the whole purpose of Palestinian Authority is to police its own population and defend Israel’s occupation. No matter their verbal posture, Palestinian Authority lost its credibility, especially after the latest Israel’s attack on Gaza. Gaza, and open air prison micromanaged by Israel, served as a reminder to Palestinians that there is no way out but capitulation. The only acceptable solution to every Palestinian is to leave.
There is a clear message sent by Egypt this time around. Egypt opened crossing, sent ambulances and emergency provisions, and made a deliberate spectacle by sending in construction equipment. At this point, US has to convince Egypt not to enrage Israel, as Israel does not allow cement to rebuild what was destroyed. Egypt is supported by other Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia.
What was Egypt’s and Saudi’s response? They just joined Russia-China led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Gaza has rights to East Mediterranean gas field, but Israel claims it for its exclusive use. Tough luck — Turkey has blocked Israeli-US plan to build pipeline to Greece and take gas via Balkan route to Europe and undercut Russian gas. Stupid Ukraine — led by an Israeli citizen — is participating in this suicide. If US could ever get past Turkey to get this pipeline to Greece, all those Balkan and Central European countries would be forced to accept Israeli gas, and stop importing Russian gas — in the first place gas coming from Russia across Ukraine.
Turkey is a major Israel’s rival, and now Egypt has announced its own intentions. Saudis that have been departing from US tutelage ever since June 2017, are now overtly moving in Eurasian direction, and now having a forum for continued discussions with Iran. Turkey and Egypt are collaborating in Libya, and Libya’s UN recognized government has signed a maritime agreement with Turkey on Mediterranean Shelf. Anti-Israeli moves are tightening.
Yemen — entirely different story. US and Saudi Arabia have been at odds since the major court coup in June 2017. Attacks on MBS failed to yield results, but US is still trying to find a fissure between various clans that rule Saudi Arabia. It is not likely. Every since Mohamed Bin Nayef collaboration with US resulting in big failures (ISIS, Syrian militants, Qatar fiasco, and starting war with Yemen), Saudis had pivoted more to Eurasia, primarily China and Russia. China is its largest customer. US is trying to control Bab Al Mandeb straits and potentially block it for Saudi export to Asia. Just as it is not very dicey for Saudis to use Hormuz straits, as one side is controlled by Iran, and others by UAE. Remember, UAE is now under Israeli influence, and has actually fought to support Yemeni secessionists in the South, against Saudi “Yemeni” government. In fact, Saudis have no choice but to fight Houthis for Mareb, and secure direct shot for their pipeline going to Indian Ocean OUTSIDE the Straits. US provided UAE with private US militaries to essentially challenge Saudi Arabia for the control of coastal Yemen. Saudis are claiming legitimacy of Hadi government, the claim irrelevant for a long time now. But Saudi and UAE divisions are growing, and Yemen war can go on forever given US involvement that INSURES it cannot end.
This may be the main reason Saudis are talking to Iran. If everything fails, with good relations with Iran, their tankers can get out of Persian Gulf.
This area — Persian Gulf, Red Sea and the adjoining Arabian Sea access to Indian Ocean, may become a real flashpoint. China is laying cable from Pakistan to East Africa and from there along Red Sea to Egypt. It would be the first alternative to American controlled cable network.
Thus — a lots of things going on beyond the little oil in Marib region.
With Egypt and Saudi Arabia joining SCO, postures are getting more overt.