Experts React: Kazakhstan to Join the Abraham Accords
President Donald Trump announced that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic agreement originally brokered by the United States in 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries. The announcement came during a White House meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders at the C5+1 summit in Washington, DC.
Significance for US Diplomacy and Regional Relations
This development signals a strategic pivot, making Central Asia more central to US foreign policy. The Abraham Accords' expansion to include Kazakhstan aims to enhance diplomatic ties between Israel, Kazakhstan, and the broader Middle East and Central Asia regions.
Expert Perspectives
- Daniel B. Shapiro: This move is not a major breakthrough but carries symbolic importance.
- Sarah Zaaimi: A broader pan-Abrahamic alliance is beginning to take shape.
- Andrew D’Anieri: Kazakhstan is pursuing as many partnerships as possible.
- Danny Citrinowicz: The initiative may be a failed attempt to revive the Abraham Accords ’brand.’
- Nic Adams: Kazakhstan is seizing an opportunity to strengthen ties with the US.
Kazakhstan’s Existing Ties with Israel
Kazakhstan has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel for over thirty years. The decision to join the Abraham Accords may seem unusual, similar to Morocco's approach, which viewed its agreement with Israel as a reopening of ties, distinct from the original Abraham Accords framework.
"Kazakhstan has had diplomatic relations with Israel for thirty-three years, so the announcement that it is joining the Abraham Accords has a strange ring to it."
Author's summary: Kazakhstan's entry into the Abraham Accords reflects evolving US diplomatic strategies, aiming to deepen ties across Central Asia and the Middle East through symbolic and pragmatic partnerships.