How the Abraham Accords Influenced Our Mission

The signing of the Abraham Accords marked a transformative moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, establishing formal peace and normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab and African nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.¹ This shift has allowed participating countries to forge economic, technological, and security partnerships, creating mutual benefits that encourage stability in the region. Moreover, the Accords signaled a realignment of strategic interests, with concerns about Iran’s regional influence acting as a unifying factor. By fostering open collaboration and redefining traditional alliances, the Abraham Accords demonstrated that shared interests could lead to peace and cooperation, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

While the Accords represent a landmark political achievement, opening channels for collaboration and partnership, it is the private sector that must lean in to ensure that the peace and prosperity the Accords represent is felt by the general population. This includes establishing trade routes between Accords members and strengthening members’ security and defense capabilities. Given the common threats faced by Accords members, embracing collective defense techniques in the realms of cybersecurity and counterterrorism can be particularly impactful.

The United States has been instrumental in the success of the Abraham Accords, playing a pivotal role as a facilitator, partner, and beneficiary of the agreements. The Accords also reinforce America's strategic alliances in the region, providing a platform for shared security initiatives and economic integration.

This combination of economic collaboration and mutual defense offers a blueprint for other regions worldwide, where tensions may be eased through similar initiatives that prioritize pragmatic partnerships over historical grievances. These agreements were monumental and motivated the Rilian team to delve head first into our mission of helping to secure & protect the U.S. and its allies abroad. This mission began in the MENA region, but has garnered interest globally as other regions come to understand the importance of collective defense enabled by such agreements as the Accords.

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The Increase in Trade, Cybersecurity, and Defense Cooperation

Since the signing of the Accords, several key metrics have shown the Accords’ impact in driving regional collaboration, particularly in the areas of trade, cybersecurity, and defense cooperation. These developments highlight how the Accords have created opportunities not only for the governments of these nations, but also for businesses and private citizens. These opportunities have been a key driver of growth across multiple economic sectors, ultimately providing greater economic and political stability for the citizens and residents of member nations.

Increased Trade

Bilateral trade between Israel and the UAE has boomed since the normalization of relations. In 2021, trade between the two countries surged by $1 billion, and by 2023, it has increased to around $2.5 billion annually.² This is also due to the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, which is designed to increase trade to $10 billion within five years.³ The sectors driving this growth include high-tech, fintech, agritech, and renewable energy, all of which are key pillars of the UAE's post-oil economy.

The collaboration facilitated by the Abraham Accords has extended beyond the UAE, fostering deepening economic ties between Israel and other Gulf nations, including Bahrain. Bilateral trade between Israel and Bahrain has grown significantly since the normalization agreement, reflecting the broader regional trend of increasing economic integration.⁴ This growth underlines Bahrain’s active pursuit of partnerships with Israel, particularly in technology, defense, and investment sectors.⁵ 

Additionally, other Accords members, including Morocco and Bahrain, have seen significant trade growth. Morocco has deepened its partnership with Israel, with bilateral trade increased by 32% in 2022 since 2020.⁶ Key sectors include agriculture, water technologies, and renewable energy​. Sudan’s economic integration into the Accords has begun to take shape, with Israeli agricultural technology being deployed to address food security and water scarcity issues, enhancing Sudan's agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, Morocco and Bahrain have collaborated on projects in sectors like logistics, renewable energy, and agriculture, enhancing cross-border commerce and creating job opportunities. Similarly, Sudan’s integration into this framework has provided access to advanced technologies in farming and water management, driven by support from Gulf nations.⁷

Meanwhile, the USA has played a vital role in encouraging economic ties between itself and Accords members.⁸  Trade between the United States and Abraham Accords members has also surged. For example, U.S. exports to the UAE reached $20.8 billion in 2022, fueled by aerospace, defense, and technology partnerships.⁹ Meanwhile, the volume of trade between Bahrain and the USA increased by 23% between 2019 and 2023, focusing on financial services and logistics hubs.¹⁰ The Accords have provided a platform for American companies to engage more directly with the MENA region, streamlining cross-border investments and improving access to emerging markets​

Such developments align with the broader framework of the Accords, encouraging countries in the MENA region to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration across various industries. This growing economic cooperation demonstrates how normalization agreements can lead to tangible economic benefits, fostering stability and shared growth across the region.

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Cybersecurity, Threat Intelligence, and Defense Cooperation

One of the most significant areas of cooperation among the Accord members has been cybersecurity, particularly in countering cyber threats. Israel’s world-leading offensive and defensive cyber capabilities have made it an attractive partner for the UAE, which is increasingly dependent on digital technologies.¹¹

The UAE and Bahrain have been actively collaborating with the United States in cybersecurity, particularly in addressing shared vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. This cooperation includes joint initiatives to enhance cyber defense capabilities across the region.¹² Additionally, Morocco has emerged as a leading force in North Africa, focusing on the development of cybersecurity frameworks to protect against evolving threats. These efforts, aided by expertise shared through the Abraham Accords, are contributing to a more robust digital defense posture across the region​.¹³

The U.S. has been key in enhancing cybersecurity across the Abraham Accords nations. Through frameworks like U.S.-UAE Cybersecurity Cooperation and U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act, member nations focus on protecting critical sectors such as energy and finance through investments in cybersecurity.¹⁴ Additionally, U.S. programs have supported cyber defense improvements in Morocco and Bahrain, enhancing regional readiness. These forums have resulted in multilateral agreements to enhance threat intelligence sharing and cyber readiness across MENA, laying the groundwork for long-term stability. ¹⁵

Both Israel and the UAE leverage digital technologies as integral components of their national strategies and security frameworks, but in very different ways. The UAE has embraced digital innovation as a key pillar of its ambitious post-oil economy, focusing on areas such as digital entrepreneurship, blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence (AI), all within a framework that seeks to enhance its global competitiveness. In contrast, Israel’s technology sector is deeply intertwined with its military capabilities, with national service fostering a unique connection between military experience and entrepreneurial endeavors, using technology companies to overcome local conflicts. Israel’s advanced cyber capabilities made it a valuable partner for the UAE in addressing regional threats, particularly from Iran. Meanwhile, the UAE’s financial power and push for digitalization made it an attractive market for Israeli cybersecurity and defense technologies. 

Cybersecurity collaboration between Israel and the UAE has increased, with both countries sharing threat intelligence to combat cyberattacks. This includes sophisticated cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure, a frequent concern in the region. The collaboration has extended to joint initiatives, such as the Crystal Ball Initiative, aimed at addressing global cybersecurity challenges, including ransomware.¹⁶ This strategic convergence of technology and defense enables both nations to explore fruitful areas of collaboration, reinforcing their geopolitical relationships and economic objectives.

Morocco and Bahrain have also enhanced their cybersecurity frameworks through knowledge-sharing initiatives enabled by the Accords. Morocco, with its focus on securing digital infrastructure to support its growing fintech sector, has partnered with Israeli firms specializing in threat intelligence and cybersecurity technologies. Bahrain has parn cybersecurity forums alongside Israel and the UAE, fostering regional resilience against threats such as ransomware and critical infrastructure attacks.

Besides trade and cybersecurity, defense cooperation has been a key aspect of the Abraham Accords. This shared threat landscape has led to increased collaboration, with joint military exercises between Israel and the UAE growing since the normalization of relations. These exercises focus on bolstering the defense capabilities of both nations in areas such as counterterrorism, missile defense, and intelligence sharing.¹⁷ Defense collaboration between Morocco and the UAE has also strengthened, with joint military exercises and shared investments in cutting-edge defense technologies. Bahrain has contributed to regional defense dialogues, reinforcing its commitment to collective security in the Gulf.

The United States has also actively participated in joint military exercises with UAE and Israeli forces, focusing on counterterrorism, missile defense, and intelligence sharing. These collaborations not only enhance regional defense readiness but also reinforce America's role as a critical security ally in the MENA region. The U.S. partnership has facilitated the adoption of cutting-edge defense technologies, such as Israel’s Iron Dome system, having been critical in building up the UAE's defense capabilities.¹⁸  As both countries deepen their military and defense collaboration, the Accords provide a framework for future security cooperation across the MENA region, fostering greater stability in the face of shared threats.

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A Blueprint for Regional Stability

The economic and defense cooperation among the Accord members exemplifies the potential for the Abraham Accords to reshape MENA’s geopolitical landscape. The success of these collaborations demonstrates that strategic partnerships based on shared security and technological goals can lead to lasting peace and stability in the region. The United States’ active involvement, both as a mediator and a direct participant, underscores the global relevance of the Accords. By encouraging economic growth, enhancing security frameworks, and fostering multilateral cooperation, the Accords have set the stage for lasting peace in the region.

For Rilian, this evolving landscape presents a compelling opportunity to contribute to the region’s security. As the Accord nations continue to strengthen their ties, we are positioned to support these efforts by providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, leveraging digital technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure, and reinforcing mutual defense goals. Our work aligns with the broader trends set in motion by the Accords, showcasing the potential of technological innovation to foster regional stability and collaboration.

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Citations

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1. U.S. Department of State. (2020, September 15). Abraham Accords: Treaty of peace, diplomatic relations, and full normalization between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel. Link
2. Times of Israel. (2024, December 4). Israel, UAE to boost economic ties with free trade deal. Link
3. Emirates News Agency. (2024, December 4). UAE-Israel CEPA set to boost economic growth and trade relations. Link
4. Frost & Sullivan. (2024). Israeli defence industry momentum: Russo-Ukrainian war and Abraham Accords to boost global arms export. Retrieved from Link
5. Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. (2024). Insight 296: Two years after the Abraham Accords. Retrieved from Link
6. Lerman, E., & Kerouad, K. (2023, September 7). The Moroccan-Israeli relationship. Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. Link
7.  Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA). (2022, January). The Abraham Accords: Achievements to date and recommendations for policymakers. Link
8. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. (2024). Think regionally: The U.S. role in deepening the Abraham Accords. Link
9. Office of the United States Trade Representative. (n.d.). United Arab Emirates. United States Trade Representative. Link
10. Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (2024, June 24). Link
11. Dark Reading. (2024, December 4). UAE, Israel joint cyber threat intelligence agreement. Link
12. Pitel, L. (2020, November 23). Cybersecurity, Iran, and the Abraham Accords: The role of Israel. Atlantic Council. Link
13. Morocco Times. (2023, October 16). GITEX Global 2023: Morocco, UAE sign MoU in cybersecurity cooperation. Morocco Times. Link
14. Kwiatkowski, A. (2023, October 16). U.S.-UAE cybersecurity cooperation marks needed collaboration in the region. Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Link
15. Morocco World News. (2023, December 5). U.S. pledges to support Morocco’s position as continental leader in cybersecurity. Morocco World News. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from Link
16. Circuit News. (2023, June 28). UAE, Israel create "Crystal Ball" platform to fight hackers. Link
17. Vakil, S. (2023, March 28). The Abraham Accords: Israel-UAE normalization and its implications. Chatham House. Link
18. Times of Israel. (2024, December 4). How Israel came to the UAE's aid after the 2022 Houthi missile strikes. Link

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