US and Saudi Arabia on the brink of a security agreement, with or without Israel’s involvement

The United States and Saudi Arabia are on the brink of a groundbreaking agreement that could reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. According to reports from Bloomberg and The Guardian, the two countries are close to finalizing a deal that would provide the Saudis with advanced weapons and security guarantees, while also paving the way for potential diplomatic relations with Israel.

The proposed agreement comes with a significant caveat – Israel must commit to a path towards Palestinian statehood and cease its military operations in Gaza. If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government refuses to comply, the Saudis have a backup plan that excludes Israel from the agreement.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism about the progress of the negotiations during his visit to Riyadh, stating that the bilateral agreement is “very, very close” to completion. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud echoed this sentiment, indicating that the two countries have made significant strides in reaching a consensus.

Experts have weighed in on the potential implications of the deal, with some suggesting that a “less-for-less” approach would be more feasible to avoid being held hostage by Israeli politics. Firas Maksad from the Middle East Institute emphasized the importance of not allowing the agreement to be derailed by the whims of Netanyahu’s government. Matt Duss from the Center for International Policy warned that any deal involving Saudi Arabia would face challenges in the Senate if Israel is not on board.

The timing of the agreement is crucial, as it was reportedly close to being finalized before the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas on October 7th. Despite this setback, sources indicate that the deal could be completed within weeks, signaling a significant shift in the region’s dynamics.

The potential pact between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has far-reaching implications for the Middle East, with the prospect of normalized relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel marking a historic development. As the negotiations enter the final stages, all eyes will be on the key players involved to see if they can overcome the remaining hurdles and solidify this groundbreaking agreement.