Exploiting Saudi Distress
Smadar Perry analyzes the secret meeting between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and his Saudi counterpart in Germany, mediated by the US. Israel is exploiting Saudi Arabia's distress vis-à-vis Iran and the Houthis to expand military and intelligence cooperation, hoping to bring Riyadh closer to the Abraham Accords. The article describes the complex regional dynamics.
Smadar Perry analyzes the secret meeting between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Saudi Chief of Staff Fuad bin Hamad al-Ruwaili, which took place at a resort in Germany under the auspices of CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper. The meeting aimed to tighten military and intelligence cooperation between Israel and Arab states, against the backdrop of the Iranian and Houthi threat. The article describes Saudi distress: President Trump twice rejected MBS's request for military cooperation, and Egypt refused to send a military force to Yemen despite a generous financial offer. Israel is assisting Saudi Arabia with intelligence and an alternative oil route. The US is leaving the field to Israel, hoping that cooperation will lead to an expansion of relations and possibly Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. Zamir updated his counterparts on IDF activities on several fronts. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Jordan are cool, but relations with Israel on the military and intelligence level are robust.