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I read those articles and a few others on this topic independently of this thread.

I am not sure I believe any of it. The ZeroHedge stuff veers off into conspiracy about Netanyahu being in a blind panic about Russia enabling Syria to station Iranian troops, and about a Saudi+Israeli alliance. I am not minimizing the threat of Iranian forces deployed in Syria. But I don’t see that the threat has escalated into panic.

The reports of the Saudi Royal Prince flying into Israel is also odd. Of course Israel and KSA have plenty of back-channels to communicate - and I am sure a number of direct communications.

But if they wanted to meet in person, I find it hard to believe the Crown Prince would fly into Tel Aviv. They could have met on neutral ground; the KSA entourage would arrange a trip to countries XYZ and the Israeli delegation would meet them at one stop, to throw off the scent. They have done it before.

The only thing I can think of is that this was a trial balloon. For example, suppose they are working towards some kind of mutual diplomatic recognition (which I think they should do). So he flew in and they leaked his trip to Jerusalem to see the reaction. A trip here, a trip there, then an open meet on neutral ground, then some multi-lateral agreements that don’t appear on surface to be about direct relations, then some direct deal, and then a formal process would be made public.

But there is a lot going on. It is not just about Iran and Syria though those may be very pressing. There will soon be a change in the Palestinian leadership - Abbas will either step down due to health or die within a few years if not sooner. None of the parties - especially Egypt - wants to see Hamas rise. There is jockeying to elevate Marwan Barghouti though that is uncertain. The Saudis had a saying “they cannot be more Palestinian than the Palestinians” which means do not expect the Saudis to take a harder line on the Palestinian question than the Palestinians themselves. Since the PA has a deal (dying as it is) with Israel, and negotiate often on many day to day matters, then the Saudis can approach that same line.

The Saudis also have many internal issues to resolve. Oil is still the vast majority of their economy. There is a growing merchant class. And with a lot of oil wealth, consumerism is growing rapidly. But they are way behind on so many other areas. They have no agriculture to speak of. They are way behind on water resource management and desalination. Israel has developed some very advanced desalination techniques. Water was one of the major issues of the I/P conflict but Israel is rendering that mute.

I marvel at what Israel has accomplished. Instead of letting the Palestinians use the water issue as a political weapon, they neutralize it (pun!) with desal plants. Instead of being victims of rocket attacks that could draw them into conflict, they develop (with US help) defensive weapons that read the trajectories of incoming fire and knock out any of the missiles that appear headed towards population centers or infrastructure - and the let those rockets that will land in the desert. This allows them to have a cooler head, and no be forced into direct conflict every time some militia decides to fire on them. One by one they are taking the weapons away from their enemies.

So I can see where KSA would benefit greatly by open cooperation with Israel. Egypt and Jordan have paved the way. The PA, at least on paper, wants to make peace. So why not the Saudis too?

In the next few years Israel will be bringing a massive stock of natural gas online. First they will meet their internal needs but they plan to export to Europe. That will give Europe a second source and reduce dependence on Russia. Russia I am sure is unhappy about it. But this also plays into the recent scuttlebut with Qatar. Qatar is the #1 regional player in natural gas. They are in a heated diplomatic row with the gulf states. They are moving to closer relations with Iran. Qatar wants to build a pipeline to Europe too. There are many different plans from competing nations. So I could also see where if the KSA is really turning against Qatar they would want to at least secretly help prop up Israeli opportunities - as it is the most likely alternative and is going to happen anyway. So KSA has the choice to either cooperate with Israel to get their own beak wet, or ignore Israel and gain nothing.

So many issues in this region, that the stories that portray this as some kind of military alliance born from a panic appear very narrow minded. Some of that may be true, but it surely isn’t the only thing going on - and panic may not be the driver. I think in part Israel wanted Russia to see the massive explosion, to show Russia they are capable of a lot of damage without even entering Syrian airspace or having to deal with Russian military opposition. If Israel flew over Syria, Russia might try to push them back. And Russian anti-aircraft equipment could shoot at Israeli jets but only if they fly over Syria. They cannot shoot at Israeli jets over Lebanon or Iraq or Jordan. So rather than a panic, I think it could be more about Israel making its capabilities known - “checking” Russia’s play.