Arab-Israeli Alliance

While Arab-Israeli military cooperation remains politically sensitive, behind closed doors, defense coordination has quietly expanded, particularly against a shared adversary: Iran. The Abraham Accords (2020) normalized ties between Israel and Gulf states like the UAE and Bahrain, opening the door for intelligence-sharing, missile defense integration, and counter-drone operations. While a formal military alliance remains unlikely, Israel’s advanced defense technology and Gulf nations’ strategic locations make this an emerging security partnership to watch.

Ministers of culture at the Abraham Accords Festival and games during Expo 2020 in Dubai. Wikimedia Commons.

History:

Pre-2020: Covert intelligence-sharing and backchannel diplomacy between Israel and Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, existed for years due to mutual concerns over Iran and extremist groups.
Abraham Accords (2020): The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco normalized relations with Israel, leading to increased trade, security cooperation, and military coordination.
Post-2021: Ongoing discussions between Israel and Saudi Arabia signal a potential broadening of the alliance, particularly in defense collaboration and economic integration.
2023-Present: Joint military exercises, missile defense coordination, and technology-sharing have increased between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt.

Major Characteristics, Initiatives, and Important Facts:

Countering Iran: The alliance focuses on countering Iranian-backed militias, ballistic missile threats, and naval disruptions in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
Military Cooperation: Some Arab states participate in joint drills with Israel, particularly in air defense and maritime security.
Economic and Technological Ties: Israel and Arab nations have expanded trade agreements, cybersecurity partnerships, and renewable energy projects.
Intelligence Sharing: Growing cooperation on counterterrorism efforts, focusing on Iran, Hezbollah, and regional extremist groups.
Strategic Impact: Strengthens U.S. and Western-backed security frameworks in the Middle East, shifting traditional Arab-Israeli hostilities toward pragmatic cooperation.

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