MESOPOTAMIA NEWS FOCUS : The Israel-UAE Peace Deal Highlights Morocco’s Diplomatic Eclipse
By Irina Tsukerman, August 17, 2020 – BESA CENTER ISRAEL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Israel-UAE peace deal was an unpleasant surprise to the Moroccan diplomatic and intelligence community as it foiled the general expectation that Rabat would be the third regional power to hold the distinction of normalizing relations with Jerusalem. Reliance on past accomplishments in relationship-building, sentimental historical ties, and informal alliances with lobby groups are no longer sufficient if Morocco still wishes to play a leading role in this geopolitical chess game. Rabat can still come out ahead if it adopts an assertive strategic policy reorientation, even if it has lost the advantage of being the first to make a move.