The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation is a pioneering effort in discussing and analyzing the background, motivations and implications surrounding the Abraham Accords. The authors argue for a nuanced conceptual toolkit to better break down complex strands of state, regional and international interaction, interest and concern. They point to regional dynamics being vital, especially to small states or states under attack, in terms of delivering on their security objectives and by building positions of influence. The Saudi case shows how the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, perceived US policy failures, and imperatives of Vision 2030, have coalesced to differentiate its regional relations, including attempts at both "strategic autonomy" and "relational autonomy." The degree of political consolidation, pluralism, and rentier stage are also found to be key indicators of past and future normalization trends with Israel, aspects which could have major bearings on domestic politics should the 2023 Gaza war continue or escalate further. This book includes a wealth of detail on the history and contemporary relations of Israel and Palestine and includes chapters covering all six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, as well as Iran.
Dr. Robert Mason FHEA FRSA is non-resident fellow with the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington and non-resident senior fellow with the Gulf Research Center in Jeddah.
Introduction Chapter 1: Iran and Israel: A Distorted Connection Chapter 2: Israel-Arab Normalization Drive Chapter 3: Internal Fragmentation and External Penetration in Palestine Chapter 4: The UAE and Israel: Economic Diversification, Security, and Geopolitics Chapter 5: Bahrain and Israel: Elusive Amity Chapter 6: Qatar, Israel and the Palestinians: Ambiguous Engagement Chapter 7: Saudi Arabia and Israel: Exploring Ambivalent Relations Chapter 8: Oman-Israel Relations: Established, Not Yet 'Historic' Chapter 9: Kuwait's Boycott of Israel: Internal and Bilateral Dynamics Conclusion
This is a superb work of scholarship that is at once thorough in its coverage, theoretically informed, and incisive in its analysis. For anyone seeking to better understand the intricacies of the complex relationship between Israel, Palestine, and the states of the Persian Gulf, The Abraham Accords is a must-read. -- Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University in Qatar The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation offers a timely and insightful analysis of the Abraham Accords and their impact on Middle Eastern diplomacy and regional cooperation. Its nuanced analyses of drivers and sustainability prospects of the accords contribute essential insights regarding the future of this complex region. -- Lisa Strombom, Lund University
