Pakistan and Indonesia Among Expected New Members
Jared Kushner, the senior advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump and the architect of the Abraham Accords, has disclosed plans for a significant expansion of the peace agreements in the Middle East. Speaking on the podcast Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Kushner revealed that Pakistan and Indonesia are among the nations expected to join the accords following Saudi Arabia’s anticipated inclusion.
Kushner claimed that during the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations, he informed Biden’s team that a deal with Saudi Arabia could be achieved within three to six months. However, according to Kushner, the Biden administration squandered two years criticizing Saudi Arabia before adopting a more cooperative approach.
The Role of Saudi Arabia as a Keystone
Kushner emphasized the centrality of Saudi Arabia in the expansion of the Abraham Accords, stating that once a deal with the Kingdom is achieved, ten additional nations are likely to follow. These include Pakistan, Indonesia, and others that had previously shown interest in normalizing ties with Israel.
He noted that Trump’s second term promises a dramatic transformation in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, highlighting plans to establish a single economic bloc linking Haifa in Israel to Muscat in Oman. This vision aims to foster trade, technological innovation, and investment across the region.
Criticism of Biden’s Middle East Policies
Kushner was critical of the Biden administration’s handling of Iran and its broader Middle East strategy. He pointed out that under Trump, Iran’s oil exports dropped to 100,000 barrels per day, compared to the 2.6 million barrels per day they sold during the Obama administration.
“The Biden administration stopped enforcing sanctions,” Kushner said, “allowing Iran to sell over $150 billion worth of oil, effectively refilling their coffers.” He added that Iran is now weaker than it has been in decades, particularly after recent Israeli intelligence operations targeted their air defense systems and missile production capabilities.
Iran’s Declining Influence and Regional Realignments
Kushner highlighted how Iran’s influence in the region has been significantly eroded, particularly in Syria. He credited Israel’s intelligence operations for severely damaging Iran’s military infrastructure, rendering them incapable of sustaining a prolonged conflict.
The fall of Assad’s regime in Syria, he argued, has further diminished Iran’s bargaining power, forcing the nation into a precarious position as it faces mounting economic and geopolitical challenges.
A Youth-Driven Transformation in the Gulf
Kushner pointed to the dramatic changes taking place in the Gulf, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where younger generations are driving innovation and economic development. “When I started working with Saudi Arabia in 2017, the situation was very different. Today, they are investing in technology, building infrastructure, and envisioning a new future,” Kushner said.
This transformation, combined with regional collaboration, could lift the entire Middle East, Kushner suggested. He stressed that peace and economic integration would allow countries to redirect their military spending toward education and development.
Trump’s Team for Middle East Peace
Looking ahead to Trump’s potential second term, Kushner expressed confidence in the team prepared to execute his vision. He specifically praised Steve Witkoff, the expected U.S. envoy to the Middle East, as well as other prominent figures like Senators Marco Rubio and Vance Wentz.
“Trump will come into his second term with much greater knowledge of the region and its challenges, so there won’t be a learning curve,” Kushner noted. He also underscored his own continued involvement in preparing key team members to advance Trump’s policies.
The Future of U.S.-Iran Relations
On the topic of Iran, Kushner struck a cautious yet hopeful tone. While he described the Iranian regime as “potentially malevolent,” he noted the possibility for a rational realignment of their policies.
“They have an incredible population, beautiful country, and significant resources,” Kushner said. “If they choose to focus on investing in their people and society instead of pursuing nuclear ambitions, there is a pathway for agreements.”
However, Kushner was firm in his criticism of past U.S. deals with Iran, calling the Obama-era nuclear agreement “one of the dumbest deals in history,” as it offered temporary nuclear constraints with insufficient oversight.
Abraham Accords: The Vision for Regional Stability
Kushner highlighted the economic and political benefits of normalizing relations with Israel, envisioning a regional economic bloc where trade, technology, and investment flourish. He underscored the significance of Saudi Arabia joining the accords, predicting it would trigger a domino effect, bringing many nations into the fold.
“Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is inevitable,” Kushner asserted. “Once it happens, the ripple effects will unleash innovation and cooperation across the Middle East.”
