Iran and Saudi Arabia are going to resume diplomatic ties. For a region that has been in turmoil for 12 years the announcement is welcomed by advocates for peace. The hope is that this will bring a halt to the conflict in Yemen. The two countries have been backing various armed factions. Iran provides support to the Houthi rebels, while Saudi Arabia attempts to install a puppet regime. The break through was the work of China under the direction on Wang Yi. Stabilization in Yemen could also mean that Syria could be next on the topics to be addressed. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have been involved in the Syrian Civil War. The majority of the Gulf monarchies have been attempting to depose the Baathist government. Iran is an ally of President Bashar Al-Assad. Saudi Arabia has provided arms to terrorist organizations active in the country. Both Yemen and Syria will be major obstacles to keeping Iranian-Saudi relations stable. The decline in relations is rooted in the execution of Nimr al-Nimr. The Shia sheikh was a major figure in the Arab Spring protests of 2011 to 2012. The desire to have elections and representation for the Shia Muslims of Saudi Arabia made him a target by the Saudi monarchy. His imprisonment and death caused much anger in Iran. As Yemen and Syria descended into violence these internal conflicts were morphed into wars of proxy. Now that the situation has changed, some ponder what Israel might do. Saudi and Iranian conflict worked in their favor. Iran is considered Israel's competitor and a peace settlement would hinder their expansionist ambitions. The plan to extend settlements might go beyond the West Bank. The reestablishment of ties shows that China's influence is growing in the Middle East.
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