Dore Gold

- The eyes of all Middle Eastern governments are on Washington, in an attempt to understand the new administration's attitude toward Iran and the nuclear deal
- Has the kingdom begun to change its policy toward Tehran, in line with the new strategic map in the region?
- Israel has a clear interest in strengthening cooperation with Jordan, in the face of factors that deliberately try to weaken relations
- The growth of pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East is a direct result of the 2015 Obama agreement

Israel has recently been dealing with a great deal of information about what is happening in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, our neighbor to the east. On the one hand, it was reported that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had recently flown to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah. Is this a sign that there is a process of compromise in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries? On the other hand, there have been reports of a compromise in Jordan-Iraq relations, leading Amman to allow Iraqis to use its territory to transport energy products west to the Mediterranean for export to Europe.

The strategic map in the Middle East is changing, dramatically. What Israel and Jordan need is to return to the main strategic challenge they face and not be distracted by background noise. Jordan remains a vital strategic partner for Israel as it has been since the peace treaty was signed by King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin. In the years following the signing of the peace the two countries talked about their strategic partnership.

If the United States reaches a new nuclear deal with Iran and the remaining Western sanctions on the Iranian regime are lifted, new funding can be expected to be transferred to the network of pro-Iranian militias sitting along the Iraq-Jordan border. And yes, resources will be channeled to Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis in Yemen.

The growth of pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East is a direct result of the 2015 agreement, when the first nuclear deal with Iran was reached and sanctions lifted. This scenario could be repeated again if the United States and its Western allies feel they need to give Iran an incentive to close a deal for a new nuclear deal. True, there are new threats to both countries, but it is important to remember that there are also new opportunities recently. 

This is where Israel and Jordan need to cooperate together instead of being distracted by factors that seek to weaken relations between them and jeopardize the stability of the two countries, which will ultimately leave them more vulnerable.