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Source: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-weak-iran-means-a-more-isolated-israel-bd5a2908
The Saudis and Other Arabs Have Grown Less Enthusiastic about Normalizing Relations with Israel
(Wall Street Journal) Walter Russell Mead - As the standoff with Iran persists, a loose coalition of Sunni powers in the Middle East including Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to fill the vacuum created by the fall of Iran's allies in Lebanon and Syria. Israel's strongest regional partner, the United Arab Emirates, is largely isolated in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Qatar, Hamas's strongest friend and ally, is back in the heart of regional diplomacy. The Saudis have risen to the leadership of the Arab world while longtime rivals Iraq and Syria plunged into chaos and Egypt into economic decline. From seriously considering entry into the Abraham Accords, the Saudis have returned to attacking Israeli behavior toward the Palestinians. Israel's defeat of Iran seems to be influencing the Saudi change in approach, resulting in increased Saudi concerns about Israeli strength as Riyadh's fear of the mullahs diminished. The writer, a fellow at the Hudson Institute, is Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida.