Constructive ambiguity is a concept sometimes utilized in international negotiations to overcome remaining, unresolved issues. In such cases, parties agree to adopt a word or an expression that is so ambiguous they can both accept it—typically allowing them to reach an agreement without departing from their original, contradictory positions on certain contentious issues. This article describes instances in Arab-Israeli relations in which fundamental disagreements between the parties have been resolved—in fact, papered over—through constructive ambiguity.

Bandar Bin Sultan was Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States from 1983-2005. He served as director general of the Saudi Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2014 and the head of the National Security Council from 2005 to 2015. All rights to this article belong to Al-Arabiya; the interviews are provided by permission of the Al-Arabiya.

The Coronavirus pandemic is dramatically disrupting the politics and economies of Middle Eastern states. A second spike in cases is staggering the region’s population. Provided here is a curated reading list of analyses and assessments from online sources.