Let me start by assuring you that I would love it if Saudi Arabia – every bit as much for its own self-interest as it would be for Israel – bought into the Abraham Accords.
But President Trump’s just-publicized declaration that, in order for Saudi Arabia to join a nuclear deal (peaceful use, not war use) with the United States, it must join the Abraham Accords is a huge mistake.
Every poll I have seen shows that, by massive percents, Saudis are against joining. Doing so under these circumstances means either that they acknowledge being helpless without the nuclear deal, or that they can be bullied/told what to do by their so-called partner.
Which of those two posssibilities would the Saudis react well to. Neither, obviously.
The only way to get the Saudis on board with the Abraham Accords is to discuss, even pressure, them to do so in private. Making a public demand, especially the way Trump so heavily-handed did, is to remove it from being a choice and to make it an acqiescence instead.
A huge mistake by President Trump. I wonder if – make that how – he can possibly undo it.
