The old neighbors who (some of) became Israel's new friends: Who is what and what is who? And also: How to become the star of the party at your next social gathering?

Nir Topper
3 days ago
6 min read

In recent years, Israel’s diplomatic map has transformed beyond recognition. The "Abraham Accords" and broader geopolitical shifts have introduced names like Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Somaliland, and South Sudan into our daily discourse. To help you navigate who is a country, what is a city, and who are Israel’s newest partners—here is a quick guide to make you the most informed person in the room.

🟢 United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Background & History: A federation established in 1971 from seven emirates previously known as the Trucial States under British protection. In just five decades, it underwent a dramatic transformation—from a region of fishing and pearl-diving communities to a global hub for technology, trade, tourism, and finance.

The Structure: Abu Dhabi is the capital and the largest emirate by land area. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, the most famous being Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Government: The President is Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), ruler of Abu Dhabi. The country is a federal presidential elective monarchy, where the president is elected by the Supreme Council of the seven emirs.

Capital: Abu Dhabi.

Population: Approx. 11.3 million.

Relationship with Israel: Full diplomatic relations since the 2020 Abraham Accords. Despite tensions surrounding the war in Gaza, economic and security cooperation continues.

Extra Fact: The Louvre Abu Dhabi—the first "universal museum" in the Arab world, bridging Eastern and Western cultural traditions.

🟢 Kingdom of Bahrain

Background & History: A small island nation that gained independence in 1971. Historically a center for pearl diving, it was the first place on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf where oil was discovered (1932).

Capital: Manama.

Government: A constitutional monarchy led by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 1999). The Prime Minister is his son, Crown Prince Salman. The parliament is bicameral—consisting of an elected Council of Representatives and a King-appointed Consultative Council.

Population: Approx. 1.6 million.

Relationship with Israel: Full diplomatic relations since the Abraham Accords (2020). Ambassadors were temporarily recalled during the "Iron Swords" War but were reinstated in 2025.

Extra Fact: The "Tree of Life"—a 400-year-old tree thriving in the heart of the desert with no apparent surface water source, its roots reaching depths of 50 meters. It serves as a symbol of resilience.

🟢 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background & History: Founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. It holds the world’s second-largest oil reserves and is the cradle of Islam, home to the two holiest cities: Mecca and Medina.

Capital: Riyadh.

Population: Approx. 35.3 million.

Government: An absolute monarchy. While King Salman bin Abdulaziz is the head of state, the de facto ruler is the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

Relationship with Israel: The normalization process was halted on the eve of the "Iron Swords" War. As of now, Saudi Arabia conditions any progress on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the end of hostilities in Gaza.

Extra Fact: NEOM—a massive development project in the northwest. Its centerpiece, "The Line," was originally designed as a 170-km car-free city. As of 2026, the project is undergoing a strategic review, shifting focus toward data centers and AI infrastructure.

🟢 Qatar

Background & History: A peninsula under British protection until 1971. It has invested its vast oil and gas wealth into building diplomatic and media influence (Al Jazeera), hosting global sporting events, and positioning itself as a "super-state" capable of mediating between any two parties in the world.

Capital: Doha.

Population: Approx. 3.05 million.

Government: Led by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (since 2013). A semi-constitutional monarchy where the Emir holds most powers, supported by an appointed Shura Council.

Relationship with Israel: No official diplomatic ties. Qatar has served as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, though relations were strained following Israeli operations in Doha (September 2025) and revelations regarding Qatari influence campaigns within Israel.

Extra Fact: One of the highest GDPs per capita in the world (approx. $126,000 PPP in 2024). It was also the first Arab nation to host the FIFA World Cup (2022).

🟢 Somaliland

Background & History: Declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Unlike its neighbor, Somaliland maintains a stable democracy, its own currency (the Somaliland Shilling), and a structured military.

Capital: Hargeisa.

Population: Approx. 6.2 million (Somaliland government estimate, 2024).

Government: President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi ("Irro") has served since December 2024. A presidential system with a bicameral parliament, including a tribal House of Elders.

Relationship with Israel: On December 26, 2025, Israel officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state—the first UN member state to do so.

Extra Fact: Despite limited international recognition, it functions as a fully sovereign state and holds a key strategic location on the Gulf of Aden near the Red Sea corridor.

🟢 Sudan

Background & History: Formerly the largest country in Africa (now third, after Algeria and DR Congo).

Capital: Khartoum.

Population: Approx. 50 million.

Government: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council. In May 2025, Kamil Idris was appointed Prime Minister. The country has been embroiled in civil war since April 2023.

Relationship with Israel: Following the 2019 revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir, the transitional government began normalization. Sudan signed the Abraham Accords declaration in January 2021, though the process is currently frozen due to internal instability.

Extra Fact: Nubian Pyramids—Sudan is home to roughly 255 ancient pyramids (mostly in Meroë), more than double the number found in neighboring Egypt.

🟢 South Sudan

Background & History: The world's youngest country, declaring independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, after decades of war.

Capital: Juba.

Population: Approx. 11.5 million.

Government: President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the founding president. The country operates under a transitional government with elections scheduled for December 2026.

Relationship with Israel: Israel recognized South Sudan the day after its independence. Full diplomatic ties were established within three weeks, focusing on agricultural and security cooperation.

Extra Fact: The Sudd—the largest wetland in Africa and one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world, a unique ecosystem in the heart of the continent.

🟢 Ethiopia

Background & History: One of the world’s oldest nations, notably never colonized by a European power (except for a brief Italian occupation from 1936–1941).

Capital: Addis Ababa.

Population: Approx. 130 million (UN estimate).

Government: A federal parliamentary republic. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (since 2018) is the head of government, while President Taye Atske Selassie (since 2024) holds a ceremonial role.

Relationship with Israel: A key partner in the Horn of Africa with deep historical and cultural ties. Cooperation focuses on security, water management, and agriculture.

Extra Fact: Lalibela Churches—11 rock-hewn monolithic churches, a pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978.

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🟢 Yemen

Background & History: Located at a key chokepoint on the Arabian Peninsula. It has suffered a brutal civil war since 2014, splitting the country between the internationally recognized government and Iran-backed rebels.

Capital: Sana'a (controlled by rebels); Aden (temporary capital of the recognized government).

Population: Estimates range from 35 to 41 million.

Government: De facto split between the Presidential Leadership Council led by Rashad al-Alimi and the Houthi Supreme Political Council led by Mahdi al-Mashat.

Relationship with Israel: No official ties. Israel has carried out strikes in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks.

Extra Fact: The city of Shibam—known as the "Manhattan of the Desert" due to its 500-year-old mud-brick high-rises. It has been inhabited for 1,700 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Image 1: Political Map of the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

Image 2: The signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords at the White House. From right to left: UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani. (Source: Wikimedia Commons/White House).

Image 3: Israeli President Isaac Herzog with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, January 2022. (Source: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO).