Israeli Foreign Minister Looks to South Korea for ‘Model for Middle East Peace’

Minister Eli Cohen proposes a defense pact between US and Gulf states, similar to what US has with South Korea, that would “make individual  nuclear ambitions unnecessary.”

By Ben Rappaport, United with Israel

The Middle East could benefit from a defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, similar to the one the US has with South Korea, as a way to curb Iranian nuclear ambitions while promoting Saudi-Israel peace, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen opined.

In a piece published Tuesday night in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Korea is a Model for Middle East Peace,” Cohen asserted that, from Saudi Arabia’s perspective, the kingdom’s ability to defend itself against Iran is key to progress in advancing normalization with Israel.

“”If [Iran] builds a nuclear weapon, it would almost certainly ignite a regional nuclear arms race,” Cohen wrote.

“Nations such as Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, Egypt and Turkey might feel pressured to bolster their defenses,” he continued, noting that “While a regional arms race might seem an inevitable response to Iran’s growing might, it would severely destabilize the area, potentially plunging the entire MIddle East into conflict.”

Cohen looked to East Asia for a model to de-escalate the Middle East.

He noted that “South Korea, despite living under the shadow of a nuclear-armed neighbor and having the means to develop its own nuclear weapons, has abstained from nuclear weapons development.”

This, he said, is because “the US’s defense commitment acts as South Korea’s deterrent against [North Korean] aggression.”

He proposed that “a comparable American defense pledge could reassure Middle Eastern nations, primarily Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.”

“This approach would make individual nuclear ambitions unnecessary, bolster regional security, and promote peace and the normalization agenda,” according to Cohen.

“A united front, bringing together moderate Sunni nations and Israel, would be an effective check on Iran’s growing ambitions,” he added.