How New US Policies Could Reshape Middle Eastern Security

Bermant first looks at Israel’s growing concerns about Turkey and the possibility that the United States could sell advanced F 35 fighter jets to Ankara. While he argues that some of Israel’s security concerns are justified, he also points to the domestic political context in Israel and Netanyahu’s interest in presenting himself as the country’s strongest defender ahead of an election. As Bermant writes, “The fact remains that increased tensions with Turkey serve Netanyahu’s political interests ahead of Israel’s election.” Read more about Bermant’s analysis of Israel and Turkey. 

In his second article, Bermant turns to the new agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia on civilian nuclear technology, which could allow Riyadh to develop domestic uranium enrichment under US oversight. He warns that allowing Saudi Arabia to move in this direction could encourage other regional powers to seek similar capabilities and could also affect Iran’s calculations. “Giving Saudi Arabia the green light for enrichment under these circumstances is likely to strengthen Iran’s motivation to obtain a nuclear deterrent.” Read more about the risks of the US Saudi nuclear agreement.