{"id":21849,"date":"2017-12-11T01:52:33","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T01:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/12\/11\/israels-liberman-uniting-behind-pragmatism-in-the-middle-east\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:59:01","slug":"israels-liberman-uniting-behind-pragmatism-in-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/outlook\/2017\/12\/11\/israels-liberman-uniting-behind-pragmatism-in-the-middle-east\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel\u2019s Liberman: Uniting behind pragmatism in the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The strategic divide in today\u2019s Middle East between fanaticism and pragmatism outweighs the sectarian divisions of the past. While the latter still play a role, they no longer override vital national interests the way they used to in much of the region. This development bodes well for the future and suggests a way for moderate forces to thwart threats to the region\u2019s stability and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As demonstrated by the upsurge of jihadi terrorism in Western capitals and the enormous refugee crises of recent years, these threats are ultimately global.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outlook 2018: Perspectives from global thought leaders<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To properly understand the region\u2019s dynamics and to effectively address the threats to its security, one needs to set aside outdated modes of thinking and realize that many of the traditional sectarian divisions have become blurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see the blurring of old lines in both the fanatic and pragmatic quarters. Sunni Arab terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State group, al-Qaida and Hamas have far more in common with the Persian Shiite regime of Iran and its Shia Arab proxy, Hezbollah, than with the governments and societies of most Sunni Arab states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the former uphold a violent, medieval, anti-Western worldview, the latter have a pro-Western approach, prioritizing stability, economic growth and security. In this, these Arab states are closer to each other, to the Kurds and to the Christian communities in the Middle East than to the extremist elements that ostensibly share their cultural and historical background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, of course, they are closer to Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ironically, the spread of revolutionary fanaticism led by Iran\u2019s fundamentalist regime has boosted pragmatism in other quarters. Iran\u2019s brazen attempt to create two Shia corridors \u2014 one stretching from Iran, through Iraq and Syria, to Lebanon, and the second stretching around the Persian Gulf from Bahrain to the Houthis in Yemen \u2014 has sparked an understandable pushback from Arab governments throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from being necessary to thwart Iran, this consolidation of sober pragmatism could ultimately help the region break free of its chronic stagnation and underdevelopment. For too long, the genuine interests of the region\u2019s states and populations \u2014 security, sustainable economic development, modernization, scientific and technological advance \u2014 have been subordinated to the excesses of extremist ideologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel has long hoped to see the spread of a pragmatic mentality in the region and the attendant emergence of interest-driven policies, such as those that led to peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. Such a development has the potential to ultimately resolve Israel\u2019s relations with all of our neighbors and to base regional security on common interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The harm of fanaticism is amply apparent in the Palestinian arena. Generations of Palestinian leaders have led their people astray by dogmatic adherence to unrealistic goals, territorial and otherwise. Were a genuinely pragmatic Palestinian leadership to emerge, we could advance realistic solutions to our disputed issues. The malaise of fanaticism hasn\u2019t yet disappeared from Palestinian society, and until it does it is difficult to see a change for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, we see much evidence of sober thinking elsewhere in the region, notably among the Gulf states. Perhaps the clearest example is Saudi Arabia, whose leadership is leading a bold and visionary policy that doesn\u2019t balk from identifying Iran as the overall regional threat and is forthrightly confronting its terrorist affiliates \u2014 the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas. By prioritizing modernization, liberalization and infrastructural investment, the Saudi government is focusing on its genuine, vital interests. All of these are, in fact, key regional interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\t