Global Geopolitical Series: Planned Saudi-Israel railway shows changed politics in Middle East

A recent report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed suggests that the Israeli government has begun preparing a plan to build a railway linking Israel with Saudi Arabia, which is yet another evidence that politics in the Middle East is changing and has changed over the past four decades, if one can remember the days of the 70’s, when the members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries proclaimed an oil embargo. The embargo was targeted at nations perceived as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The initial nations targeted were Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States with the embargo also later extended to Portugal, Rhodesia, and South Africa.

Another evidence is the recent intelligence leak of a conversation between Egypt’s intelligence official and popular TV host, which suggest that rumor that Saudi Arabia and Egypt were aware well in advance of President Trump’s recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and both of these countries were reportedly on board with it privately, though they condemned the decision publicly.

Saudi Arabia, whose king is the custodian of two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, two most important holy places for Muslims, do not see Israel as the eternal foe like it used to four decades back. Instead, it sees Iran as a common foe and a far greater threat to its dominance in the Middle East and among Muslims.

In the new approach to Middle East policies, Saudi alliance sees Israel as a partner in the struggle against Iran and looks to benefit from a positive partnership with Israel, which has a successful economy, as well as an advanced military.