US takes another step towards normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia
US efforts to push for normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia continue. The possible establishment of diplomatic relations between Jerusalem and Riyadh has been the main theme of recent visits to the Kingdom by senior US officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Middle East and North Africa adviser Brett McGurk and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Following Blinken, McGurk and Sullivan's trips, it is now the turn of Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Senior Advisor Amos Hochstein, who is scheduled to visit the Gulf nation this week, two sources have told Axios.
Hochstein's trip is part of US efforts to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords and develop relations with Israel, an issue Washington considers a national security interest.
Furthermore, an agreement between Riyadh and Jerusalem would be beneficial for stability in the region, as well as for both countries in different sectors, taking into account the example of other Arab countries that in recent years have intensified their ties with Israel.
The Century Agreement has proved to be particularly key in economic, commercial and cultural matters. The signatories have also developed important defence and security cooperation.
Riyadh's accession to the agreements would be a historic milestone that would mark a turning point at the regional level. However, the Kingdom points out that this will not be possible until positive progress is made in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Given the current unfavourable situation, this is unlikely to happen 'quickly or easily', as the secretary of state has pointed out.
In parallel to Hochstein's trip, Under Secretary of State for the Middle East Barbara Leaf is also in the region to deepen "Israel's integration", as well as to address threats from Iran. Ahead of her trip, Leaf acknowledged that normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel "is an ultimate goal" for the US, though she also stressed that there was "a lot of misinformation" about it, referring to speculation about how close a deal was being reached.
Saudi nuclear programme a key issue in negotiations
In addition to the possible normalisation between the Saudis and Israelis, Hochstein's visit will also revolve around the civilian nuclear programme that the Kingdom hopes to develop. In this regard, as Axios' sources point out, the Saudi demand for US support for its civilian nuclear programme, which includes uranium enrichment, is expected to be on the table.
"This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues in the US-Saudi and US-Israeli negotiations," the source said. Nevertheless, any such agreement between Washington and Riyadh is key for the Biden administration as it seeks closer ties with the Kingdom at a time when China is strengthening its partnership with Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.
Blinken also discussed the issue with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisan bin Farhan during his stay in the Kingdom. Bin Farhan stressed that his country hoped to have "the best technology in the world" to develop its programme, indicating in this regard that he hoped to reach an agreement with Washington.