For the conservative factions in Israel and Saudi Arabia (as well as other Gulf states) the past four years of US foreign policy in the Middle East were a dream come true. Whereas previous American presidents at least paid lip service to broad diplomacy and not playing favorites, President Donald Trump unequivocally sided with Israel and Saudi Arabia against their regional foes. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) must prepare for potential pushback from Washington should Joe Biden be certified as the next president of the United States.

A Biden Administration will have an impact on Israel, the Palestinians and the Middle East as a whole in at least three ways: tone, direction and potential outcome.

Biden’s tone will be conciliatory and moderate, and he will seek compromise, as opposed to the confrontational approach of Donald Trump, who is known for his firmness, ruthlessness, and unexpected behavior.

This means that Biden will likely return the United States to the 5 + 1 group of countries that signed the 2015 nuclear deal...