Digital recognition: cybersecurity and internet infrastructure in UAE–Israel diplomacy.

The article examines the role of digital technologies in the 2020 Israel–United Arab Emirates (UAE) Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the two states with a strong emphasis on technological cooperation. It develops the concept of "digital recognition," highlighting three key mechanisms through which digital technologies influenced state recognition: (1) diplomatic lubrication via cybersecurity cooperation, where state-directed sales and collaboration helped overcome diplomatic barriers; (2) market-oriented homogenization through cloud computing, where competition and alignment with global technology companies fostered mutual recognition as equal economic actors; and (3) infrastructural integration via joint subsea internet cable projects, which created shared technical dependencies and normalized cooperation. The article argues that these digital interactions extend traditional theories of state recognition by incorporating the influence of private sector actors and digital infrastructure, suggesting broader implications for international relations and regional diplomacy.