normalization

U.S. President Donald Trump and the late Emir Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait, September 7, 2017 (Official White House Photo/Stephanie K. Chasez)

Expanding the Abraham Accords is a pipe dream. Except, maybe, in Kuwait

Stripped of its institutional buffers, reorienting toward the UAE, and repeatedly targeted by Iran, Kuwait could be next to join the framework.

By Mira Al Hussein June 3, 2026

A billboard reads "A time for war, a time for settlement. Now is the time for the "Abrahamic Covenant," with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed standing next to U.S President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Tel Aviv, June 27, 2025. (Yehoshua Yosef/Flash90)

In widening Saudi-UAE rift, Israel is at the heart of a narrative war

Saudi accusations that Abu Dhabi acts as Israel’s proxy have ignited a media firestorm. But similar anti-Israel sentiments circulate within the UAE itself.

By Mira Al Hussein February 19, 2026

The scene where a rocket fired from Gaza hit and caused damaged in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, October 7, 2023. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

Gaza’s shock attack has terrified Israelis. It should also unveil the context

The dread Israelis are feeling after today's assault, myself included, has been the daily experience of millions of Palestinians for far too long.

By Haggai Matar October 7, 2023

Latest

U.S. President Joe Biden visits the Israeli President's Residence in Jerusalem, July 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Biden’s message to Bibi: Normalization is more important than democracy

At a meeting on the UN sidelines, many anticipated Biden would pressure Netanyahu to halt his anti-democratic agenda. But the U.S. has other priorities.

By Naim Mousa September 27, 2023

The signature agreements between Morocco’s National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water and Israel's national water company, Mekorot, at La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, November 17, 2022. (Marc Israel Sellem/Jerusalem Post)

With Morocco normalization, Israel revives a dangerous Africa policy

Unable to reconcile its public diplomacy with colonialism at home, Israel has returned to courting key African partners through military-intelligence ties.

By Alex White August 17, 2023

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis meets with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Mar. 22, 2018. (Kathryn E. Holm / U.S. Secretary of Defense / CC BY 2.0)

Why Saudi-Israel ‘peace’ will cement a violent future

Far from resolving conflicts, Saudi-Israel normalization will serve as a pillar of a repressive architecture that brings no justice for Palestinians or Arab peoples.

By Dana El Kurd August 8, 2023

Reza Pahlavi, founder and leader of the self-styled National Council of Iran, an exiled opposition group, with Minister for Intelligence Gila Gamliel at an event in Ramat Gan, April 19, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Why Pahlavi’s Israel visit betrays both Iranians and Palestinians

Many Iranians have been silent as the opposition leader has essentially backed an apartheid state conducting the same abuses he claims to be fighting.

By Sarah Ariyan Sakha April 27, 2023

WEF founder Klaus Schwab (left) on stage at the 2023 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. (World Economic Forum/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

At Davos, talk of Palestinian prosperity without freedom is ‘a charade’

An outdated initiative for Israeli and Palestinian executives reflects the business world's unwillingness to tackle the conflict's root causes, say insiders.

By Hebh Jamal March 7, 2023

Israel's Energy Ministry Director General Lior Schillat and a delegation hold a press conference at the entrance to an army base in Rosh Hanikra, on the border between Israel and Lebanon, following the signing of a maritime border deal between the two countries, October 27, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)

Who are the real winners of the Israel-Lebanon maritime deal?

While Lebanon and Israel play up the benefits of a new maritime border, the biggest gains lie with states and companies far from the Mediterranean coast.

By Majeed Malhas November 14, 2022

Palestinian protesters burn a photo of Bahrain's ruler Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, June 25, 2019. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

Amid normalization with Israel, what remains of Gulf-Palestine relations?

Gulf states have a complex history of engagement with the Palestinian cause. Now, regional shifts are forcing them to reassess their role.

By Katie Wachsberger February 1, 2022

UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja and Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the opening ceremony of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Tel Aviv, July 14, 2021. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

How Israeli-Arab normalization is helping the US win the trade war with China

The proliferation of a regional economic bloc since the Abraham Accords is allowing the United States to consolidate its power in the Middle East.

By Majeed Malhas December 3, 2021

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Base Commander Brigadier General Peleg Niago, during a visit to the Air Force base in Tel Nof to meet with foreign air force commanders, May 23, 2018. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Oil, guns, and gas: How Gulf money will fuel Israel’s arms industry

Israel and its new Arab allies are striking major deals to advance fossil fuel projects — endangering the region's stability and the global climate.

By Sahar Vardi December 8, 2020

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech regarding the Middle East peace plan, at the Palestinian Authority headquarters, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, January 28, 2020. (Flash90)

The Palestinian leadership chooses captivity

Devoid of strategy, the PA has returned to its role as a subcontractor of the occupation. Luckily, the richest source of Palestinian power is in its grassroots.

By Amjad Iraqi November 21, 2020