Dalia Ziada, an Egyptian researcher now living in exile in the US, warns that the current moment may be the final window for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel — a step she argues could reshape the entire Middle East.
She notes that the October 7 attack fundamentally altered the region’s strategic landscape. Before that day, a Saudi-Israel accord promised major gains for both sides: Israel would gain unprecedented acceptance in the Muslim world, while Saudi Arabia would strengthen its position against Iran’s expanding proxy influence.
But the picture has shifted. Israeli military operations have shattered Iran’s aura of rising dominance, leaving Israel recognized as the strongest military power in the region. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is redefining its regional role and exploring new connections, including in Damascus.
This reduced sense of urgency, she cautions, could risk the moment entirely. The primary remaining driver is the desire to align with President Trump’s push to expand the Abraham Accords — a move both countries quietly support.