Biden Should Heed the Concern of Israel and Arab Nations Regarding Iran

A bad deal could empower the chief threat in their region.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu visited Saudi Arabia last week to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). The summit was historic, and could yield a long-sought normalization deal between the only Jewish state and the cradle of Islam. 

But the meeting reportedly did not focus on bilateral ties. Rather, it was an effort by the two leaders to coordinate in advance of a possible Biden administration effort to resurrect the controversial 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Outgoing President Donald Trump exited the deal in 2018.

Both the Israelis and the Saudis (along with other Arab states) harbored major concerns during the last round of diplomacy, particularly the sanctions relief, sunset clauses, and advance centrifuge research and development  that granted the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism far too much leeway. But they were unable to speak with one voice, owing to Arab politics. Even though the Arab states widely appreciated Netanyahu’s public warnings about the deal, they were unwilling to amplify his concerns, fearing that doing so might undermine the Palestinian cause.

Earlier this year, the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan finally elected to pursue their own interests and normalize ties with Israel. Part of their decision stems from the realization that hostility toward Israel was pointless. But they were also eager to speak in unison with Israel about Iran. And it makes sense for the United States to listen. These are allies, after all.  

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  1. Avatar photo
    david roberts

    I'd be interested in your take pin the Tom Friedman editorial in the Times today. His focus on Iran's low-flying, precision missiles seems valid, but I have no basis to know.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/29/opinion/iran-biden-nuclear-scientist.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

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  2. Daniel Rabiner

    Why is it that when country's sign "peace" deals that recognize Israel and give them access to US military weaponry is considered "finally pursuing their own interests" but whatever Iran does is not "pursuing their own interests"? It seems that someone can only pursue their own interests if its doing what you want them to do. I don't agree with Iran's actions but you can see where this way of thinking could make it seem like you don't really care at all about how each country perceives its own interests.

    Secondly, should we be caring what the other countries in the Middle East want versus what is in our own interests in terms of preventing the nuclearization of the Middle East? If non-proliferation is the most important issue to us in the region, then we'll look the other way on lesser issues to get assurances that non-proliferation is achieved. That is diplomacy, not appeasement, if we get something for our troubles.

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    1. Avatar photo
      CynthiaW

      Can you explain why any country other than Iran would consider Iran's having nuclear weapons to be "in its interest"?

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      1. Daniel Rabiner

        I can explain why any other country would want Iran not to have nuclear weapons. But the insistence that it be achieved via draconian sanctions and threats of war is where the US position should diverge from these other countries who view Iran as a competitor for regional supremacy. We don't need to do those country's bidding in achieving our strategic objective.

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  3. Avatar photo
    CVS

    "Thankfully, the Biden team thus far assembled does not appear to embrace this approach. The presumptive appointees have articulated a desire to rebuild alliances around the world."

    I truly do hope you're right about this. But the pressure from his (clueless) base will make it difficult. And historically, (as opposed to 9 months ago) Biden hasn't been great at standing up to the left in his party.

    That said, I agree early signs are better than they could be.

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  4. Avatar photo
    Victor Clairmont

    It’s good advice. The Obama/ Biden policies of 2008-2016 just did not work here. Biden needs to build off the success of the current administration during his presidency and not try to go backwards to decades worth of bad policy.

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  5. Avatar photo
    Narwhal

    “Earlier this year, the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan finally elected to pursue their own interests and normalize ties with Israel. Part of their decision stems from the realization that hostility toward Israel was pointless. But they were also eager to speak in unison with Israel about Iran. And it makes sense for the United States to listen. These are allies, after all.”

    Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are not officially allies as far as I know. However, Bahrain and Israel are major non-NATO allies(MNNA)

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    1. Avatar photo
      Resident Borderline Zoomer

      Sudan has long been an adversary, but KSA and UAE are fairly close American allies, officially or not.

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      1. Avatar photo
        Narwhal

        Obama considered making them MNNAs, but didn’t. Trump had four years to do so and didn’t even though he loved sticking it to Obama. So, why didn’t either of them do it?

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