Changing Regional Dynamics: The Abraham Accords and Their Impact on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy toward Israel

Abstract

The diplomatic and strategic equation of Middle East has undergone a radical change, with the signing of Abraham Accords between Israel and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain and, lately, Morocco and Sudan. The agreements challenged traditional Arab position that normalization with Israel should be preceded by a comprehensive resolution of Palestinian question. The region's changing environment has significant impact on Pakistan, which has never recognized Israel and has consistently tied normalization with establishment of independent Palestine. This article looks at impact of Abraham Accords on Pakistan's foreign policy with Israel, including shifts in Arab diplomacy, Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ties, Palestinian issue, domestic political hurdles, Pakistan-India strategic ties with Israel, Iran-Pakistan ties and Pakistan-US-China axis. The article maintains that Abraham Accords have made Pakistan's traditional policy more expensive in terms of strategy and diplomacy. The study draws from constructivism and neoclassical realism and formulates Pakistan's policy as a dynamic of identity-based commitments and evolving geo-political dynamics.

Keywords: Abraham Accords, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, Middle East, Foreign Policy, GCC, Regional Security, Normalization, Neoclassical Realism, Constructivism