Dynamics of Normalization in the New "Middle East": An Analysis of the Abraham Accords and Arab Strategic Interests

Abstract

The Abraham Accords, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2020, have been widely regarded as a landmark diplomatic initiative in the Middle East, yet their reception remains contested. While praised for normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, critics argue that the accords shifted international attention away from the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict toward broader Arab-Israeli normalization. This article examines the accords by analyzing their negotiation process, content, regional atmosphere, and international responses, situating them within the broader context of Middle Eastern diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy. The study argues that the accords’ apparent suddenness masks a complex, protracted, and partly unplanned diplomatic trajectory, reflecting both strategic calculation and geopolitical pragmatism. It finds that Arab states engaged in normalization not solely out of solidarity with Palestine or U.S. pressure, but to advance diverse strategic interests, including political leverage, military cooperation, and economic benefits, effectively sidelining the Palestinian issue. By offering a nuanced understanding of the Abraham Accords, this article contributes to debates on contemporary Middle Eastern politics and the dynamics of regional conflict resolution in a changing geopolitical landscape.