The Transformative Ambitions of the Abraham Accords: Trust-Building Mechanisms as a Pathway to Regional Cooperation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The 2020 Abraham Accords are a landmark normalization of relations between Bahrain, Israel, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, facilitated by the United States.While prevailing scholarly opinion has sought to characterize these agreements as mere bilateral agreements, this study views the Abraham Accords as part of a broader vision to transform the diplomatic landscape of the Middle East.Rather than treating normalization as a binary concept, this research situates it on a spectrum of interlinking cooperation.At the forefront of this analysis is minilateralism: a diplomatic approach that enables focused cooperation among a small number of like-minded states.This study analyzes how the Abraham Accords strengthen political and economic ties through initiatives such as the Negev Forum and I2U2 Group.By comparing these dynamics to historical agreements, specifically the Israel-Egypt and Israel-Jordan peace treaties, the research delineates the unique qualities of the Accords.Unlike the "cold peace" of earlier treaties, the Accords emphasize transparency and public engagement, fostering a more integrated and collaborative regional environment.Situating the Accords within the context of past multilateral initiatives, this study illustrates how the diplomatic Overton window has shifted to facilitate a modern discourse on regional cooperation that transcends previous frameworks.This study aims to demonstrate that the frameworks established by the Abraham Accords offer significant opportunities for confidence-building and heightened cooperation among signatory states and the broader region, contributing to a more resilient and interconnected Middle Eastern political landscape.
Author: Huebner, Grant
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7062546649
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