Event Resources and Recommendations: Critical Perspectives on U.S. Concessions for the Abraham Accords: Saudi Arabia-Israel-United States (October 5, 2023)

On October 5, 2023, the Center for International Policy (CIP), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), and the Forum on the Arms Trade co-organized an event hosted at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University to discuss the Biden administration’s pursuit of a grand bargain in the Middle East to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel that may come with new defense commitments from the United States, significant transfers of arms and other security assistance, and the development of uranium enrichment and construction of a nuclear plant for Saudi Arabia. The event aimed to allow those who see more danger than positives to be included in the conversation, to talk not only about the harm of this approach to U.S. interests in the region, but also to those of citizens within it.

​Video of the event is available at https://youtu.be/5_l-NXb_L6o

Suggested Resources:* 

• Sarah Leah Whitson, "The Greatly Exaggerated US Pivot and America’s Failures on Human Rights" in "A US Pivot Away from the Middle East: Fact or Fiction?," Arab Center Washington DC, September 13, 2023.
• Letter to President Biden on U.S. Role in Potential Normalization Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel from 20 Senators, October 4, 2023. 
• A People’s Vision for Reform in Saudi Arabia
• Daniel Benaim and Jake Sullivan, “America’s Opportunity in the Middle East, Diplomacy Could Succeed Where Military Force Has Failed,” Foreign Affairs, May 22, 2022
• Forum on the Arms Trade resource pages: US-Saudi Arms Sales and US Arms Sales to Israel

During the event, panelists provided many insights and recommendations. Below are links to and short recap of the portion of the conversation focused on alternate approaches/recommendations (and timestamp):

Abdullah Alaoudh, Saudi Director for the Freedom Initiative and Secretary-General of the National Assembly Party of Saudi Arabia

• Need for institutions to be reflective of the decisions of the citizens of Saudi Arabia. See the People’s Vision presented earlier this year. [40:00]

Sarah Leah Whitson, Executive Director, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

• The best way for the U.S. to position itself is by pivoting its focus on the things that made it great in the first place — building off the ideas and values showing that a country can prosper under a democratic system, leading in technology and creativity.  [53:53]

Dylan Williams, Vice President for Government Affairs, Center for International Policy

• Regionalise the effort with a multilateral process that includes those in the region, including the Palestinians, where the great powers play the role of observers and consultants. [42:02]

* Panelists at this event do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others, nor does the Forum necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others. Please feel free to contact panelists directly for additional conversation.