Israel’s new government under Benjamin Netanyahu has stepped up US-backed talks with Saudi Arabia on forging stronger military and intelligence ties, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
The talks are part of an effort to forge a NATO-style anti-Iran alliance in the region between Israel and Washington’s Gulf Arab allies. While Saudi Arabia has not normalized with Israel, the two countries have quietly increased cooperation, including by participating in their first public joint military exercises in 2022.
The Bloomberg report said that Israeli and Saudi officials held talks ahead of a meeting of the US-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group that took place on February 16. More talks were expected to happen at the Munich Security Conference, which was held over the weekend.
Israel has increased cooperation with the US’s Gulf allies since normalizing with the UAE and Bahrain in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. Since then, the US has brought Israel under the umbrella of US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US command responsible for the Middle East.
Including Israel in CENTCOM operations facilitates more Israeli-Arab cooperation. Israel previously fell under US European Command since it didn’t have relations with most US allies in the region. The US and Israel want a future anti-Iran alliance in the Middle East to focus on integrated air defense systems.
Saudi officials have insisted that a normalization deal with Israel would hinge on the creation of a Palestinian state, which is highly unlikely as the Netanyahu government is vowing to expand settlements in the West Bank. But it’s possible Riyadh could eventually be convinced by the US to open up with Israel if Washington offers more military assistance and arms sales.
I wonder if the Saudis can be bought so easily…The US and Israel are playing by ‘old school’ rules.
‘old school’ rules
Very true. Saudis need beware the fate of many the Washington ‘friend’, … Saddam Hussein, Bashir Assad.
These are fantasies, Saudi Arabia will not form any kinds of anti-Iranian alliance,
That ship sailed long time ago, Gulf is folliwing in Iran’s footsteps and turning East.
Economy and security considerations demand that,
US keeps on ignoring SCO, and the significance of beciming an applicant, and an approved member. Mist Gulf nations, Saudis includecd are under SCO obligation to refuse alliances and commercial deals if those are designed to harm anothet country. Saudi Arabia cannot get into any organization, or be involved in any activity for the purpose of harming Iran,
SCO is an opposite to Western style alliances, such as NATO or EU. These organizations are based on a premise that the collective can impose duty in members to boycot another country economically, to impose rules on all that define what is allowable to a member to do.
SCO is OPPOSITE. The organization does not limit in any way commerce with anyone — no block mentality, Howevet, members are in their dealings with the world under obligation to never enter an avrerment or alliance thst is clesrly sumunv to harm someone. SCO subscribes to
FIRST DO NO HARM policy. Saudi Arabia values SCO partnership as it provides economic benefits — and protects everyone’s back. Iran is likewise under obligation not to harm Saudi Arabia,
Saudis will use Pslestinian issue as a cover. In reality they made a pledge of mutual support. and cannot violate it in dealings with US or Israel.
Exactly, the future belongs to SCO. Saudi arrangement with US/Israel is prudential.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.Iran wants Mecca,Medina and Jerusalem. It also threatens the gulf States. Real cooperation is an illusion.
Friend? That is funny. Israel better hope daddy warbucks can keep up with the bribes. And that includes the other countries Trump bribed to join the Abraham Accords. Real cooperation is an illusion indeed.
Its apparent your perceptions cannot fathom what i was saying.
Oh, I got it. Your delusional was my point.
the only thing you said was = “Iran wants Mecca,Medina and Jerusalem.” of which there is no evidence
Really-IRG troops march around a mock up of the Dome of therock.
And IDF troops march around the real thing. So?
Saudis cannot normalize with Israel and at the same time open their embassy in Tehran…!
Saudi officials have insisted that a normalization deal with Israel would hinge on the creation of a Palestinian state, which is highly unlikely as the Netanyahu government is vowing to expand settlements in the West Bank. But it’s possible Riyadh could eventually be convinced by the US to open up with Israel if Washington offers more military assistance and arms sales.
And there you have it. The Saudis don’t give a flying f*ck about the Palestinians as long as the bribe is sufficient. And when Iran is no longer a threat, the Saudis best be prepared to be next on the list. It’s failed states or bust and that includes Saudi Arabia.