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Source: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/israels-gulf-breakthrough
Israel's Gulf Breakthrough
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Simon Henderson - Last week, the United Arab Emirates gave Israel formal permission to establish a diplomatic office in Abu Dhabi under the auspices of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Although officials from both governments noted that the office is solely intended to facilitate Israel's membership in the agency, the announcement should be seen in the context of improving Israeli-Gulf relations. In fact, the new office is Israel's second diplomatic presence in a Persian Gulf country. This latest advance should also be seen as a consequence of the Obama administration's perceived embrace of Iran. The writer is director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at The Washington Institute.