Analysis: Covert Israeli-Saudi meeting sends Biden a strong message on Iran

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

RIYADH/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A historic meeting between Israel's prime minister and Saudi Arabia's crown prince has sent a strong signal to allies and enemies alike that the two countries remain deeply committed to containing their common foe Iran.

Last Sunday's covert meeting in the Saudi city of Neom, confirmed by Israeli officials but publicly denied by Riyadh, conveyed a coordinated message to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden that Washington's main allies in the region are closing ranks.

It was the first publicly confirmed visit to Saudi Arabia by an Israeli leader and a meeting that was unthinkable until recently as the two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations. But it underlines the depth of the two countries' concerns about Iran, and shows how opposition to Tehran is bringing about a strategic realignment of countries in the Middle East.

"It's Iran, Iran, Iran," Israeli cabinet minister Tzachi Hanegbi told Israel's Army Radio when asked about the visit. "It is very, very important to create the axis which isolates Iran."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/analysis-covert-israeli-saudi-meeting-105319085.html

[bullimiami]

1. Israel would do better not getting involved in the Sunni-Shia conflict.

Almost 1500 years and still raging.

[hack89]

2. They have been for decades

Talk to Hezbollah about that.

[bullimiami]

5. I don't see that. They have had the conflicts with specific states or groups. This feels different.

[hack89]

6. The war with Hezbollah is a proxy war with Iran

It has been a regional conflict for decades.

[bullimiami]

7. proxy yes but the actual conflict is with hezbollah. all sides have their supporters.

[hack89]

8. But Israel's goal strategic goal is to counter Iran's geopolitical goal

Of creating a Shia arc of control from Iran to Lebanon.

[JonLP24]

11. Why isn't Israel interested in Saudi Arabia's goals?

Enemy of my enemy is my friend? Saudi isn't really Sunni but actually Wahabbi which is an ultraconservative orthodox sect. Their ideology has fueled terrorism around the world with a lot of help from the US & UK. Plus their ideology is antisemitic as well.

[hack89]

12. They don't pose a military threat

Nor do they actively wage war against Israel through proxies. A nuclear armed Iran is a clear threat to both Israel and Saudi Arabia. Israel needs access to Saudi airspace to attack Iran. Saudi Arabia needs Israeli military capabilities and competence to neuter Iranian nuclear ambitions.

[JonLP24]

13. Isn't a nuclear armed Israel a threat to those countries as well?

I'm one of those people that think if Iran develops a nuclear device they will use it as self defense like all other countries. North Korea probably scares me the most but I figure they are probably building it to prevent a US invasion. North Korea was bombed a lot during the Korean war.

[hack89]

14. They don't seem to think so

Given how they are all cozying up to Israel. I have no reason to question their judgment.

[JonLP24]

15. I don't trust the House of Saud's judgment on anything

Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated after all and the only reason we know this is because Turkey decided to make their spy footage public. There are probably a lot of political assassinations we don't know about. All 3 countries need to find a way to get along but Saudi Arabia needs Democracy.

[Klaralven]

17. Allegedly, Saudi Arabia helped fund Pakistan's nuclear program and can get nuclear weapons from them

Sunni nuclear weapons already exist in Pakistan.

[hack89]

18. I can believe that

It is hard to imagine the Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia would not do everything they could to get nuclear weapons.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. That is a gernade with the pin pulled.

[Klaralven]

10. The Sunni-Shia conflict is mostly a conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia

It wasn't really a thing prior to the Iranian Revolution, and the Sunni protagonists are mainly the Wahhabi sect in Saudi Arabia.

Relations are reasonably cordial between Turkey, Iran and Pakistan.

The real roots of Sunni-Shia conflict: beyond the myth of "ancient religious hatreds"

https://www.vox.com/2016/1/5/10718456/sunni-shia

[roamer65]

4. This will start the Great Middle East War.

The run up to World War 3.

[Klaralven]

9. Biden should send them a strong message that they are on their own

[GoCubsGo]

16. Yep, and how much of this is mainly Netanyahoo's doing?

Is this partly a stunt to distract from the fact that he's about to be tried on corruption charges?