Analyzing the Potential of Israeli-Omani Normalization

Analyzing the Potential of Israeli-Omani Normalization

On September 15, 2020, the United States, under President Donald Trump, mediated an agreement known as the Abraham Accords, which formally normalized diplomatic relations between the State of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. What was initially a trilateral agreement between Israel and two of the Persian Gulf’s wealthiest states expanded in the subsequent months to also include Morocco and Sudan. As such, the Abraham Accords marked one of the most significant developments in the Arab-Israeli peace process in decades. Today, three years since the Accords’ ratification, rumors have been circulating of other Arab states in the region either formally signing the agreement or otherwise normalizing their relations with Israel. Recent developments in the Sultanate of Oman lead some experts to believe that the Sultanate may be the next Middle Eastern state to normalize and establish diplomatic relations with Israel. This article will outline and analyze the recent diplomatic developments between Israel and Oman and what diplomatic normalization could mean for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s evolving role as a regional power, and Omani domestic society.

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U.S. and allies on the move against the Islamic State: What about Israel?

U.S. and allies on the move against the Islamic State: What about Israel?

ISIS, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, United States, Europe: these are the names of major actors played by the media in regards to recent upheaval in the Middle East, marked by the rise of the Islamic State. While the international community now weighs its focus on counter-terrorism efforts lead by the US, one question sits in the back of everyone's mind: what about Israel?

(Photo credit: Wikimedia)

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CMED Lecture Series: Is Peace Possible?

CMED Lecture Series: Is Peace Possible?

On May 22, 2014 former Congressman Robert Wexler, president of the S. Daniel Abraham Center, visited UCLA for his talk on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "Is Peace Possible?" All too often, the American public is presented with mixed or biased narratives that result in an incomplete or misinformed understanding of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In order to bolster popular support for the peace negotiations, there needs to be a common understanding of the actual factors that shape the conflict and tenable solutions.

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U.S. Foreign Policy in 2014

U.S. Foreign Policy in 2014

President Barack Obama gave the State of the Union address on January 28th, during which he laid out US foreign policy in 2014. Here are the top ten foreign policy takeaways.

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Weekly Roundup: Jan. 21-24

Weekly Roundup: Jan. 21-24

This week in the headlines: 

  • Syrian Government and Opposition Agree to Meet at Geneva
  • Cairo Rocked by Deadly Bombings, Fears of Islamist Insurgency Mount
  • Israel Begins Construction on New Settlements in West Bank
  • Tunisian National Assembly Approves New Constitution
  • Violence in Iraq Forces 140,000 Civilians to Flee

(Photo: Oxfamnovib | Flickr)

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The Sanctions Debate

The Sanctions Debate

Since the end of the government shutdown, the big discussion in Washington surrounds the issue of United States sanctions against Iran — specifically, whether another tougher round should be enacted while the P5+1 countries are in the midst of negotiations with the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program. (Photo: varleriy osipov/Flickr)

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Beneath the Philadelphi Route: Egypt, Hamas, and the Battle for the Gaza Tunnels

Beneath the Philadelphi Route: Egypt, Hamas, and the Battle for the Gaza Tunnels

The Egyptian crackdown on the Gaza tunnels, which began in February 2013, is a symptom of growing anti-Palestinian and anti-Hamas sentiment in Egypt. Although the country has been moving away from Nasser’s vision of pan-Arab nationalism for decades, the distinctly negative portrayal of Palestinians is a new development.

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The MENA News Guide Introduction

The MENA News Guide Introduction

The Middle Easterner introduces the MENA News Guide to help anyone and everyone interested navigate current events in this complex region. The first post starts off with general news, and future posts will cover political blogs, think tanks, polling groups, art, technology, entrepreneurship, women, and more...

 

Photo: Al Jazeera  

 

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