At a time when the headlines regularly announce violence in Gaza and Houthi attacks on Israel, it may seem incongruous to speak of the Abraham Accords. But navigating out of the Middle East’s continued turmoil demands a clear, realistic vision of where the United States wants the Middle East to end up. There are powerful trends across the region—from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Syria, to Morocco—favoring cooperation and dialogue among former foes and rivals, rather than confrontation. The conflict in Gaza will delay some of these trends and pose a threat to regional stability as long as the war continues and a more durable solution remains elusive. But there is clear momentum for change in a region weary of war and following a decade of US intent to downsize its military engagement in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords—one of the signature foreign policy accomplishments of the first Trump administration—provide a valuable platform for harnessing these trends. But to achieve a more stable and prosperous Middle East consistent with the vision US President Donald Trump recently outlined in Riyadh, the accords must be adapted and strengthened. The United States and its partners cannot simply wait for the war in Gaza to end or for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. They must take steps now to strengthen the accords in order for them to provide an effective path forward for the Middle East.
Yes, now is the time to double down on the Abraham Accords – Atlantic Council
