Saudi Expert: Israel Misreads Regional Alliances, Focuses on Enemies

A Saudi foreign policy expert argues that Israel's tendency to view Middle Eastern cooperation through the narrow lens of a "common enemy" blinds it to the region's evolving security architecture. Aziz Al-Ghashian, a senior researcher, suggests that Israel's focus on whether the new defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is directed against it reveals a flawed, binary approach to regional dynamics.

Al-Ghashian contends that Saudi Arabia and other regional players prioritize stability and the ability to manage security challenges, which may involve cooperation with various actors, even those with whom they have disagreements. He points out that Saudi Arabia and the UAE renewed ties with Iran, not as a contradiction, but as part of a strategy to manage regional complexities. The recent Saudi-led defense agreement, according to Al-Ghashian, reflects a region seeking greater self-reliance in security, complementing rather than replacing U.S. leadership.

While acknowledging that Iran poses a threat, Al-Ghashian highlights that Gulf states have faced more direct Iranian missile and drone attacks than Israel since February. He emphasizes that sharing a common threat does not automatically translate into a shared strategy. The Gulf states, he notes, learned from recent conflicts the dangers of uncontrolled regional escalation.

Israel could be a cornerstone of this emerging regional security framework, but its current policies, particularly concerning Gaza and the West Bank, are perceived as sources of uncertainty and risk, rather than reliability. Al-Ghashian suggests that Israel's military strength, often seen as its primary asset, is viewed regionally more as a cause for instability. For Israel to integrate into the evolving Middle Eastern order, it must demonstrate it can be a reliable and predictable partner, exercising restraint and fostering trust beyond military might.