The Economic Implications of the Israel-UAE Normalization Agreement in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and the Potential Impacts on the GCC

Abstract

Abstract The new relationship that has emerged between UAE and Israel, after the conclusion of the Abraham agreement, includes common economic orientations between both sides. There is potential cooperation within the navigational routes and strategic points in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and this initial cooperation could open the way for a bilateral economic partnership. This research paper has two main goals: Firstly, to uncover the economic cooperation between Israel and UAE in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by applying a methodology of qualitative case study. Secondly, exposing the repercussions of Israel-UAE economic cooperation on the future role of the Gulf Cooperation Council, specifically in the economic domain and addressing the factors accompanying this cooperation that may raise the level of competition among member states, especially between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. By analysing these goals, the paper attempts to examine the possibilities that such economic cooperation between Israel and the UAE may pave the way towards future bilateral or multilateral alliances among different countries within the region.