Abstract. The year 2020 demonstrated that the architecture of international relations in the Middle East is prone to rapid change. This year the following trends became especially clear: transformation of Israel’s role in the region and revision of the alliance system; growing role of non-Arab actors who eclipsed traditional powers; constant threat of new revolutions and waves of protests; insensitivity of regional conflicts to the pandemic of COVID-19. All these trends will continue in 2021, which will lead to general deterioration of the security situation and new conflicts of interests.