Abraham Accord Explained: What is the Abraham Accord and why is it considered so important in the politics of the Middle East? Why is America trying to include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan in Abraham Accord? Why is normalizing relations with Israel considered a political and religious challenge for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?
Abraham Accord: The politics of the Middle East is once again going through a period of major change. America has now made a new diplomatic move amid the ongoing global conflict over the Iran nuclear deal. Washington has officially appealed to Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords. This is the same agreement that changed the direction of relations between Israel and Arab countries a few years ago. This step of America is being seen not just as a diplomatic initiative, but as a major strategy for changing the balance of power in the Middle East. The special thing is that this pressure has increased at a time when talks regarding the nuclear deal between Iran and America are again under discussion.
What is the Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords was a historic diplomatic agreement launched at the initiative of the US in 2020. It is named after the prophet Abraham, who is considered a revered ancestor in all three religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The main objective of this agreement was to normalize relations between Israel and Arab countries. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first to sign this agreement. After this Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco also joined it. The then US President Donald Trump had described it as one of his biggest foreign policy achievements in his first term. This was considered a major step in getting Israel diplomatic recognition in the Arab world.
Also read: Women will get Rs 3000 every month, Suvendu government will also give fish and rice for Rs 5
Why is America increasing the pressure now?
According to American media reports, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has said that it is necessary for countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan to join this agreement to create stability and normalcy in the Middle East. Experts believe that there are many strategic reasons behind this.
1. Trying to balance the influence of China and Russia
America has long wanted to maintain its strategic hold in the Middle East. For this, he is working on strategies like MESA i.e. Middle East Strategic Alliance.
Washington wants strategic and economic cooperation to increase between countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, so that the influence of China and Russia can be limited in the future.
Efforts to increase Israel’s acceptance
There is resentment towards Israel in Muslim countries due to the conflicts related to Gaza and Palestine. In such a situation, America wants that if big Muslim countries become part of the Abraham Accords, then Israel’s regional acceptance will increase. If influential Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan join, their trade, defense and technological ties with Israel could also be strengthened.
Why is Pakistan important for America?
Pakistan is the first Muslim country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. Its role in America’s strategy has always been important. Experts believe that America wants to keep Pakistan close to itself to balance issues like Iran and Taliban in Afghanistan. This is the reason why the discussion regarding Pakistan’s possible participation in the Abraham Accords has intensified. However, the situation within Pakistan regarding this issue is very sensitive.
Religious crisis facing Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
According to Atlantic Council’s South Asia expert Michael Kugelman, it will not be easy for Pakistan to join this agreement. The people of Pakistan have stood in support of Palestine for a long time and there may be strong opposition to normalizing relations with Israel. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has already indicated that there is no intention at present to join this agreement. However, the final decision in Pakistan’s foreign and security policy is often taken at the level of the military and top leadership. The situation in Saudi Arabia is also believed to be similar. On one hand it is a close ally of America, on the other hand it has to balance the sentiments of the Muslim world and the Palestine issue.
Equation of Trump’s politics and Jewish community
Analysts believe that by bringing the Abraham Accords back into discussion, Donald Trump wants to send a strong message to his traditional pro-Israel vote bank and the Jewish community. According to Quincy Institute expert Trita Parsi, the pro-Israel section is not liking the news of softness on some issues between America and Iran. In such a situation, Trump wants to show that his policy is still pro-Israel by taking the Abraham Agreement forward.
Big turning point in Middle East politics?
In the coming months it will become clear what stance Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan take on this US proposal. But it is certain that the increasing activism regarding the Abraham Accords is pointing towards a new equation in the politics of the Middle East. If these countries join it, then its impact will not be limited only to Israel and Arab countries, but can also affect the entire global diplomacy, energy politics and internal strategies of the Muslim world.
Also read: Warning of rain and storm in many districts including Lucknow, Meteorological Department alerted