Two Unprecedented Events In Israel And Bahrain

Two quite unprecedented events have taken place in Israel and Bahrain over the past couple of days.

Orang Melayu perlu faham apa yang sedang berlaku di Israel dan di kalangan orang Arab. Sebab Tuan-tuan mudah dihanyutkan dan tertipu dengan retorik Pak Arab.

The first event was an unprecedented trilateral summit held in Israel between Israel, the USA and Russia.  

The second event was another unprecedented 'business and economic' forum hosted by Bahrain but officiated by Jared Kushner (Donald Trump's son-in-law) and attended by Israelis and Gulf Arabs - a first for the Gulf. 


1.   Bahrain first :

Peace to Prosperity workshop in Bahrain, June 24, 2019 

MANAMA, Bahrain 
US-led “Peace to Prosperity” economic workshop hosted here
exceedingly warm way in which Israelis received in Manama 
remarkable testament to how times have changed
“Zionist enemy” welcome with open arms in Bahrain
Israeli press, businessmen, civil society being treated like VIPs

My comments : It is just a matter of time before the Gulf Arabs (Saudi, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman) join Egypt and establish diplomatic ties with Israel. Long before that business ties have already been established between Israel and the Gulf Arab countries. This business forum in Bahrain is one such example. Jordan in particular has benefited from Israeli agricultural technology for some time.  

Officially Palestine boycotted this Israeli - Arab conference in Bahrain but unofficially Palestinian businessmen were present. That is what has been reported. If it brings peace and prosperity for all it will certainly work.


2.  Here is the trilateral summit  between Israel, Russia and the USA also held in Israel. 

1st trilateral meeting with Russia, US, Israeli national security advisers 

Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat 
Patrushev Secretary of the Russia Security Council
John Bolton US National Security Advisor

Russia intel shows U.S. drone in Iran airspace 
when shot down by Iran last week

U.S. claimed drone over intern'l waters
Russia said US accusing Iran behind tanker attacks also unprofessional 

U.S. said "door open to real negotiations" with Iran 

"All Iran needs to do is walk through open door," Bolton said

Bolton, "this meeting could not be more timely"

"US sees Iran as source of belligerence, aggression," he added

Netanyahu "deeply values strong relations Iwith US, Russia"
"Our friendship with Russia stronger than ever . ."

"wider basis for cooperation between three of us
This summit real opportunity to advance stability in Syria, he said
"We’d like peaceful, stable, secure Syria," Netanyahu added
"good for Russia, U.S., Israel and good for Syria," he argued

Netanyhau said Russia, Israel security coop contributed much to security 
made fundamental difference in the region

Netanyahu said 3-way meeting "deal with Iran, Syria, other obstacles to security"

aspired to hold such 3-way talks to reduce Iranian influence in Syria

"unprecedented meeting of two world powers with Israel, in Israel, underscores its global standing and sends a powerful message to the region"

Russia to ask US to recognize Assad’s regime and lift sanctions
US to press for distancing Iranians from Syria
Israel discuss Syria, and Iran leaders

Russian hope Israel would not disrupt efforts to stabilize Assad
not made any commitment to get Iran out of Syria

Moscow has at times limited Israel’s military moves 


My comments :  

There is a big picture developing. 
They say it is based on peace and prosperity - for all.
I hope they are real about this.

This is the first time ever that US-Russia-Israel have had an exclusive three-way summit. 
For starters their interest is the Middle East. 
This will possibly evolve. 

This meeting is possible because Trump, Putin and Netanyahu are BFF.

The point to note is that Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, the EU or the UK are not part of this process. This is an exclusive club.

It is quite obvious.  
These people control the ground.

Russia has troops in and control over Syria.
The US has troops and influence over significant countries in the Middle East.
Israel has a large influence on the Middle East as well.

But why now and who exactly is behind this idea? 
Netanyahu? Jared Kushner?

Here is some history from 1943. It was another 'trilateral summit' where the subject was the Middle East. Or how to carve up the Middle East.

The Tehran Conference (codenamed Eureka) was a strategy meeting of Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill from 28 November to 1 December 1943, after the Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran. 

It was held in the Soviet Union's embassy in Tehran, Iran. It was the first of the World War II conferences of the "Big Three" Allied leaders (the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom). 

The conference also addressed the 'Big Three' Allies' relations with Turkey and Iran. . and the envisaged post-war settlement. A separate protocol signed at the conference pledged the Big Three to recognize Iran's independence.

The Great Game is still being played.  
The Great Game is possible as long as the countries of the Middle East continue believing in imaginary pet flying unicorns. 

The Saudis (Salafi) believe in their own set of imaginary pet flying unicorns.
The Iranians (Shia) believe in their own imaginary pet flying unicorns.

Hence the Middle East is at the mercy of the Big Powers.  
After the First World War it was still the British (and the US) who had much say.
In the Second World War the players increased - the US, British plus the Soviets.
Now it is the Russians, the US and Israel.

Again it looks like the Arabs and the Persians do not have much say or influence on the situation.

I hope the common good of the people of the Middle East will find some place at the table.
As opposed to 'whats in it for me' - which has been a staple so far.

Maybe the outcome will be different.