Building a New Regional Security Architecture: The Next Phase of the Abraham Accords

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans held a hearing on July 17, 2026, to discuss the future of the Abraham Accords and opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation in the Middle East. The meeting focused on diplomatic, security, and economic integration efforts among Israel and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and prospective partners like Saudi Arabia. Witnesses highlighted the importance of sustained U.S. leadership to expand the accords, emphasizing infrastructure projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), technology partnerships, and regional defense integration. Concerns were raised about the impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran, the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and recent U.S.-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreements that may affect leverage for normalization with Israel. Members discussed the need for bipartisan support for Israel, the appointment of a special envoy for the Abraham Accords, and increased people-to-people programs to build grassroots support. The hearing included debates on the political realities in Israel and the Arab world, the role of economic development in peacebuilding, and the risks posed by settler violence and annexation policies. No specific procurement contracts or budget allocations were detailed, but the discussion underscored potential U.S. involvement in infrastructure and technology initiatives linked to the accords.