One of these initiatives is the prospect of Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization. However, it is not the only big story in the region. Saudi Arabia is also making important moves in regards to Iran and other countries are joining the trend.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comments in a US television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel is a symbol of the new diplomatic era.
Perceptions of the Middle East
The shift in the spotlight is important. For many years the Middle East was perceived as a problem in the West. This included discussions of conflict and also the rise of terror and extremism. Off-hand comments by US leaders describing the region as soaked in age-old conflicts, or wasting blood and treasure, meant that perceptions of the region were skewed to see it as a center of “endless wars” and an area the West should withdraw from.
Into the vacuum of withdrawal has come a new regional consensus. This means many countries, particularly in the Gulf, have moved forward with diplomatic initiatives of their own. Qatar, for instance, was a key broker behind discussions that brought the Taliban back to power in Afghanistan. They also were involved in the recent deal between the US and Iran regarding Iran trading prisoners it had held as hostages. READ MORE
