Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Saudi Arabia, a regional powerhouse, continues to rely on a security pact with the USA and the normalization of relations with Israel. Tectonic shifts are occurring beneath the surface of the conflicts in the Middle East, with new alliances forming. According to Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, Israel’s response to Iran’s recent attack shows a shift in how the leader of a regional coalition against Iran reacts. Israel has taken into account the interests of its allies in the coalition, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.
This paradigm shift in the Middle East involves Israel recognizing its allies among its Arab neighbors who share a common opposition to Iran and its allies. The emerging partnership between Israel and its former enemies in the region is still under the radar. Recent escalations in the Middle East can be seen as a dispute over this new order, with Iran playing the Palestinian card to pressure authoritarian Arab monarchies aligning with the USA and Israel.
Iran’s support of Hamas in the recent Gaza conflict is part of its strategy to prevent the emergence of a powerful coalition against its regional influence. Despite Tehran’s efforts, Saudi Arabia is continuing talks with the USA for a comprehensive security pact that includes nuclear enrichment capabilities. These negotiations indicate a growing alignment between Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Israel against Iran’s regional dominance.
Saudi Arabia’s focus on modernization and security aligns with its concerns about Iran’s influence, leading to discussions with the USA and support for Israel in the face of Iranian attacks. As the conflicts in the Middle East transform, the region becomes a battleground for global powers, with Iran aligning with Russia and China, and Saudi Arabia moving closer to the USA and Israel. The dynamics in the Middle East are evolving as alliances shift in response to regional and global threats.