Article: "Ben-Gvir as head of Israeli security means an escalation in the West Bank," says Dr. Mamoun Farhat from Ramallah
OpEdNewsDec 05, 2022
Iran, Saudi Arabia Agree to Restore Diplomatic Relations
Image copyright: Saudi Press Agency/DPA/Reuters [via The Wall Street Journal]
The Facts
Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a Chinese-brokered agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations after years of open hostility and proxy conflicts across the Middle East.
Iranian and Saudi state media reported that both countries agreed to reopen their embassies within two months, reimplement a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001, and not interfere in each other's internal affairs.
The Spin
Republican narrative
This Chinese-brokered deal between US ally Saudi Arabia and US rival Iran reveals how disastrous the Biden admin. has been to US interests in the Middle East. By not showing a clear commitment to the interests of its regional allies, the White House has pushed them into the arms of China and Russia, its main geopolitical enemies.
Democratic narrative
While the US and China are indeed competing for global leadership, Beijing's growing influence in the Middle East doesn't represent a threat to US interests – except in some specific areas in which it's moving to avert Chinese activism. China-brokered reconciliation talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have de-escalated tensions, which is also good for the US.