CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 2 )
4
HERMINE HOVHANNISYAN
RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND ISRAEL IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BALANCE OF POWER THEORY
Abstract : Over the past two decades , there has been a noticeable shift in the relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel . Although they are attempting to keep their relationship secret , there is substantial evidence of their cooperation and behind-the-scenes diplomacy . How can formerly hostile countries get closer ? According to the balance of power theory , states can forge alliances against one potential stronger power . In this case , both countries have shared concerns in the region , Turkey and Iran particularly . Hence , their newly emerged cooperation is meant to neutralize common threats , and the theory of the balance of power could explain Saudi Arabia ’ s and Israel ’ s recent rapprochement . Keywords : balance of power , Saudi Arabia , Israel , rapprochement , Iran , Turkey .
Introduction
There are many cases when states refuse to recognize other states or establish diplomatic relations with them conditioned by various reasons . Among these , Saudi Arabia ’ s and Israel ’ s case stands out with its uniqueness . Being in different ideological , political , and religious milieus , they have begun to cooperate in interesting ways in recent years . On the one side is Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam , where the holiest sites for Muslims , Mecca and Medina , are located . On the other side is Israel , with its newly proclaimed capital city Jerusalem , which is considered holy not only for Jews and Christians but also for Muslims . Additionally , there is a vast chasm between them concerning the Palestinian issue and Jerusalem , and the absence of diplomatic relations rounds out all these disagreements . However , despite having a plethora of religious and political issues , the last few years have been marked by clandestine and behind-the-scenes cooperation between these two countries against regional enemies .
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel have always stood out with their hostility and distrust since the emergence of the State of Israel . The position that Saudi Arabia occupied at the very beginning was conditioned by the Hashemite family ’ s threat and its possible alliance with the founders of the State of Israel . Furthermore , Arab-Israeli affairs and the later Palestinian conflict also played a role in these complicated