Key Highlights
- Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, formalising ties with Israel.
- The announcement comes after establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992.
- US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, hinted at another country joining the deals recently.
- The move is seen as Kazakhstan pushing to deepen its ties with the US during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Washington.
Background and Context
Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country that established formal diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992, is set to join the Abraham Accords. This development comes as part of ongoing efforts by the United States to promote regional stability through normalization agreements between Arab countries and Israel.
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords is significant given its long-standing relationship with Israel. The Central Asian nation established official ties with Israel shortly after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1992, marking a milestone in regional diplomacy.
US Role and Bilateral Agreements
The announcement of Kazakhstan’s accession to the Abraham Accords was made ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and leaders of Central Asian countries. During his first term, Trump played a pivotal role in brokering these deals, which formalized ties between Israel and several Arab nations including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Morocco.
Implications for Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s push to deepen its relations with the US is seen as strategic. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Washington during a period when Trump was promoting himself as a peacemaker in the Middle East. The two countries recently signed a cooperation deal focusing on critical minerals, indicating an expanding scope of bilateral engagement.
Regional Dynamics and Future Prospects
The Abraham Accords have been lauded for breaking Arab consensus over recognizing Israel, but their impact remains limited in resolving the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The normalisation deals have survived despite the recent Gaza war, which saw significant violence against Palestinians.
Analysis and Future Outlook
Kazakhstan’s move to join the Abraham Accords is viewed as part of its broader foreign policy goals, particularly in maintaining dialogue and mutual respect within the region. This development may signal a shift towards deeper economic and security cooperation with Israel, aligning Kazakhstan more closely with US interests.
While details on how joining the accords will affect existing Kazakh-Israeli ties are still unclear, this move underscores the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern diplomacy and the growing significance of Central Asian nations in regional affairs.
