Experts React: Kazakhstan Joins the Abraham Accords
President Donald Trump announced during a White House meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords. This diplomatic pact, brokered by the United States in 2020, aims to normalize relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority countries. With this development, Central Asia gains increased relevance in US diplomacy.
Announcement at the C5+1 Summit
The announcement was made in Washington, DC, on Thursday during the C5+1 summit, which included Kazakh President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev and leaders from four other Central Asian states. This move is expected to affect Kazakhstan, Israel, and the broader US diplomatic agenda in both the Middle East and Central Asia.
Expert Perspectives on the Development
- Daniel B. Shapiro: “This is no great breakthrough, but it holds some symbolic value.”
- Sarah Zaaimi: A broader pan-Abrahamic bloc is forming.
- Andrew D’Anieri: Kazakhstan seeks as many partners as possible.
- Danny Citrinowicz: This is a failed attempt to revive the Abraham Accords “brand.”
- Nic Adams: Kazakhstan seizes an opportunity to strengthen partnership with the US.
Historical Context
Kazakhstan has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel for 33 years, making its announcement to join the Abraham Accords somewhat unexpected. Similarly, Morocco viewed its agreement with Israel as a reopening of ties from the 1990s, separate from the original Abraham Accords.
“Kazakhstan has had diplomatic relations with Israel for thirty-three years, so the announcement that it is joining the Abraham Accords has a strange ring to it.”
These insights suggest that Kazakhstan’s participation is more symbolic and strategic, reflecting evolving diplomatic priorities in the region.
Author's summary: Kazakhstan's entry into the Abraham Accords highlights a strategic US effort to deepen ties in Central Asia while symbolically expanding the diplomatic framework in the Middle East.