HERMINE HOVHANNISYAN
deterioration of the regional status quo . The latter , he reasons , in turn , could foster anti-government movements in the country . 64
Likely , Avner Yaniv , analyzing Israel ’ s viewpoint , mentions that it has been traditionally devoted to preserving the regional status quo , considering the latter as a guarantor of the advancement of its national interests , 65 stating that “ While the fall of longstanding rulers and the rise of new political forces ( especially those more inclined toward Islamism ) might encourage a revived call to action against Israel and bring into question the status quo in which the Jewish State ’ s existence has been accepted de facto by all regional actors .” 66 Therefore , these developments in the region were observed with concern by Israel .
Sinem Cengiz identifies another thing that has posed a threat to the maintenance of the balance of power in the region and , consequently , has led to concern in Saudi Arabia and Israel . This was the newly emerged alliance between Turkey and Qatar and between them and Iran . At the same time , Iran has been the regional nemesis for both the Kingdom and Israel and is the number one impetus that has pushed these two closer . 67 Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner claim that these countries , supported by the Arab Spring revolutions , were eager to fill the regional power vacuum engendered by the Arab Spring . 68 Hence , the potential change of the geopolitical balance of power in the region was seen by Saudi Arabia and Israel as a serious concern .
Methodology and Research Design
This article seeks to answer the following research question : – Is the theory of balance of power applicable to the rapprochement process between Saudi Arabia and Israel . Accordingly , the hypothesis to be tested is the following . – Taking into consideration and comparing the past and present dynamics of the relations of the two countries , the theory of balance of power explains the rapprochement as a response to the potential threat .
64
Ibid .
65
Avner Yaniv , Deterrence Without the Bomb : The Politics of Israeli Strategy , ( Lanham , 1987 ), 12 – 19 . 66 Furlan , Israeli – Saudi Relations in a Changed and Changing Middle East : Growing
Cooperation ? 6 . 67 Sinem Cengiz , “ An Assessment of Turkish and Saudi Policy towards the Gulf Crisis : Three Levels of Analysis ,” Contemporary Arab Affairs 12 , no . 2 ( 2019 ): 151-168 . 68 Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner , “ Turkey and Qatar ’ s Burgeoning Strategic
Alliance ,” Middle East Institute , June 8 , 2016 https :// www . mei . edu / publications / turkeyand-qatars-burgeoning-strategic-alliance .
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