Another disastrous project for the Middle East

Another disastrous project with the name "peace" is on its way, with U.S. President Donald Trump's recent consequent visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel revealing the pillars of this new policy.  The new administration is appealing to the U.S.'s so-called old Sunni allies in search of a rehabilitation of Muslims' relations with Israel, and the interests and willingness seem mutual. 

I have always thought that better relations between Muslim countries and Israel could help regional peace efforts in general - and between Israel and Palestinians in particular. I have always believed that the Muslim world's acknowledgment of Israel's right to exist is key for peace in the region. I also think one of the best remedies is to get rid of anti-Semitism from Muslim countries and minds. 

However, the new Middle East project has nothing to with peace in the region or in minds. First of all, it is based entirely on the idea of enmity against Iran and its allies. As such, it is not right to define it as a peace project; on the contrary, it is doomed to further stoke sectarian flames, provoking more regional conflicts and hostilities. It is also based on utter hypocrisy in the name of political and economic pragmatism: The Sunni regimes seem eager to cooperate with Israel as long as it remains a big secret, thus avoiding scrutiny from Arabic public opinion. 

In fact, they have long been trying to convince their publics that Iran and Shiism is the biggest enemy of the Muslim world. Back in 2008, Kind Abdullah II of Jordan was saying that the major threat to the region was a "Shia Crescent," and senior Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi was announcing Shiism as the new heretical threat. This policy played a major role in shaping the Syrian affair and its...