Leiden University Student Repository

Persistent URL of this record https://hdl.handle.net/1887/4292424

Documents

    • Master thesis
    • closed access

In Collections

This item can be found in the following collections:

Hooiveld, Erik-Jan (2026)

Explaining the Israeli-UAE Normalization through Defensive Realism

Master thesis | Middle Eastern Studies (MA)
This thesis analyses the drivers of the Israel-UAE normalization via the Abraham Accords through defensive realism. It argues the alliance was a pragmatic response to shared Iranian threats and the shifting U.S. regional role. Beyond security, economic statecraft served as a vital driver. The UAE leveraged Israeli innovation to diversify its oil-dependent economy, while Israel sought to overcome regional isolation and create strategic dependencies. By integrating military and economic sectors, both nations enhanced their strategic interests, prioritizing pragmatic interests over long-standing ideological barriers.
Author
Hooiveld, Erik-Jan
Faculty
Faculty of Humanities
Specialisation
International Relations
Supervisors
Englert, S.P.
ECTS Credits
20
Language
en