An Italian newspaper, “Il Giornale,” has published a report highlighting the true objective behind the United States forming an economic alliance with India, the UAE, and Israel, known as the I2U2 group. The report suggests that through this alliance, the U.S. aims to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative and address the Middle East issue with a strategy primarily involving Saudi Arabia.
A Complex Vision
The newspaper noted that the “Mediterranean Riviera” project, proposed by former President Donald Trump to be built on the ruins of Gaza, is unlikely to materialize. However, this does not concern the U.S. administration or its strategists, as behind this provocative proposal lies a more intricate geopolitical and strategic plan. This vision currently faces outright rejection from Egypt and Jordan, as well as stronger opposition from Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman.
According to the newspaper, President Joe Biden laid the foundation for this new strategy when he launched the first summit of the I2U2 group in September 2021. This strategic alliance includes India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. The alliance, also referred to as the “Indo-Abrahamic Alliance,” builds upon the idea from the Trump administration to combine America’s power, the Gulf states’ energy resources, Israel’s technological capabilities, and the economic potential of a large country like India.
Countering China
The missing elements in this project are Egypt, a pivotal country in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia, which, given the development projects proposed by Mohammed bin Salman, is an emerging economic power in the Gulf.
The primary geopolitical goal of forming the I2U2 group is to establish a political, commercial, and technological alliance capable of countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. needs to persuade India and Saudi Arabia to abandon the BRICS bloc formed by Beijing and Moscow.
Resolving the Middle East Issue
The newspaper believes that for Washington to encourage Saudi Arabia and Egypt to integrate into the I2U2 path, it must find an appropriate formula to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has plagued the Middle East for nearly 80 years.
The “two-state solution” and “land for peace” have become unfeasible after the recent 15-month war following the attacks on October 7, 2023. The idea of “peace for prosperity,” proposed by Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner in 2019 during the formulation of the Abraham Accords, has resurfaced.
According to that plan, Palestinians are expected to accept a non-contiguous state that likely does not include the Jordan Valley or the settlements currently occupied by Israelis. In return, Palestinians would receive political and economic support from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
As Jared Kushner promised in 2019, Washington commits to providing about $50 billion to implement the project, with Saudi Arabia becoming the actual sponsor of the new Palestinian state. In this context, the Saudis would be responsible for removing Gaza from Hamas’s control, rebuilding it, and transforming it into a new “Dubai.”
The plan also promises Palestinians unprecedented economic prosperity in exchange for relinquishing the demand for an independent sovereign state.
Analysis:
The formation of the I2U2 alliance reflects a strategic move by the United States to reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and counter China’s expanding influence through its Belt and Road Initiative. By integrating India, Israel, and the UAE into this framework, the U.S. seeks to establish a robust political, commercial, and technological partnership.
However, the exclusion of key regional players like Egypt and Saudi Arabia indicates potential gaps in the alliance’s effectiveness. The U.S. recognizes that to bring these pivotal nations on board, it must address the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The revival of the “peace for prosperity” concept suggests a shift from traditional solutions, proposing economic incentives as a means to resolve political disputes.
Critics argue that this approach undermines the Palestinian quest for an independent sovereign state, offering economic benefits in lieu of political rights. The proposal to transform Gaza into a “new Dubai” under Saudi patronage, while economically appealing, raises questions about the feasibility of displacing existing political structures and the implications for Palestinian self-determination.
In conclusion, while the I2U2 alliance represents a strategic effort to counterbalance China’s influence and foster regional cooperation, its success hinges on effectively addressing complex political issues and ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of fundamental political rights.
