More good news on Middle East peace, prosperity front

There is good news in the world and reason to celebrate.

On Friday, the Trump administration announced an agreement between the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain and the Jewish State of Israel. The two nations have agreed to normalize relations. Word came just after a conference call between President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

This is the latest foreign policy win for the Trump administration. In recent weeks, the United Arab Emirates established full relations with Israel and Serbia agreed to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Further, Kosovo has agreed to recognize Israel and both Oman and Sudan, both Arab nations, are on the doorstep of fully recognizing Israel, the Associated Press reports.

The United States has been in the midst of the negotiations. Nineteen years after the anniversary of 9/11, what a testament to the failure of Al Qaeda that these particular countries have found common cause in cooperation and peace.

“This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East. Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region,” a joint statement on behalf of the United States, Israel and Bahrain read.

On Friday, President Trump tweeted the good news. “Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal — the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!”

The agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is due to be signed at the White House in a ceremony hosted by President Trump on Sept. 15. In attendance will be Netanyahu and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani.

These foreign policy achievements are not merely political wins for President Trump. Regardless of who the occupant of the Oval Office is in the coming years, this new landscape gives the United States, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and Israel boundless opportunities of global cooperation, trade, diplomatic initiatives and more.

Simply put, nations in the world are talking to each other. Too often the sword has been the diplomatic tool used to decide and adjudicate differences between great nations. Thankfully, in recent weeks it has been the pen that was used to sign commitments between parties compelling them to find a new way.

Let us hope this trend continues and as the unrest fades away and we crawl out from under this pandemic there is a bright future awaiting us.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Fl9wwy