When the United Arab Emirates and Israel signed their historic agreement to normalize relations, they were formalizing a shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics that has been in motion for years.

Some have sought to play down the significance of the pact, arguing that the accord does not change anything of substance. However, this deal was reached based on the realities on the ground and has three angles: It establishes a new order in the region by forming Israel-Arab country alliances, confronts rogue and destabilizing Islamist regimes, and raises the prospect of an Israel-Palestine peace deal once again.