It’s Happening: the Saudi-Israel Peace Deal
Saudi Arabia and Israel have been working on a deal to normalize ties between the two nations. The news spread when Mohammed Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, appeared in a televised interview with Fox News on 20th September and said that the nations were close to concluding a ‘serious’ agreement regarding bilateral peace.
Israel’s right-wing Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the rumors of budding peace two days later as well. This deal is complex, and to understand it, there is a need to recognize all stakeholders and their respective demands.
The Elusive Afghan Peace Process
The US was never really in control of Afghanistan. Trillions of dollars spent, over a 100,000 casualties, & two decades later – the US is now stuck in a stalemate. Negotiating directly with the Taliban via Khalilzad seemed to be helping the US, but the recent change of date for the withdrawal of troops (from May 01 to Sep 11) can potentially hamper the peace process.
Israel and Trump: The Weakening Peace Prospects for Palestine
President Trump’s era proved to be markedly different from the traditional policies and narratives of past presidents. President Trump has pursued an increasingly biased foreign policy towards Israel – bestowing Israel with legitimation, and acceptance of its oppressive and violent policies in Palestine. By appointing like-minded officials on important positions, the president had made it clear that he would not be accommodating the Palestinians and their demands.
Israel and the Peace Deals: The Key to Palestine’s Undoing
The peace deals and Israel most certainly have ignited the rise and influence of Israel, but they have blunted the Palestinian resistance.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Deal: Investing in the South Caucasus
The peace deal has yielded up the control of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan. This settlement could prove to be markedly advantageous to the South Caucasus; however, it could also intensify the deep-seated animosity between the two states.