It was evident that the Palestinian matter carries particular importance for the Kingdom. His stance underscores his desire to see “a US-brokered agreement that gives the Palestinians their needs
Reuters
The Saudi crown prince's interview on Fox News was packed with messages intended for his citizens, neighbouring nations, and major global powers.
From one of the most important stations of the Belt and Road Initiative, situated amidst the historical Silk Road remnants along the picturesque Yellow Sea coast in the charming city of Lianyungang within the People's Republic of China, I watched the interview of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the American channel Fox News.
It is fair to state that this interview had been highly anticipated by numerous regional and international parties. This anticipation stemmed from a sequence of continuous media leaks concerning the ongoing negotiations between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which have spanned several months.
These negotiations touch upon a range of crucial topics, including the speculated form of Saudi-Israeli rapprochement, interactions with China, Russia, and Iran, the Yemen conflict, and the Kingdom's vision for its future role and the internal reforms necessary to facilitate comprehensive social and economic transformation.
The interview was candid, with the crown prince addressing the paramount issues of both domestic and international importance. Nevertheless, it was a meticulously planned interview in terms of the messages that the crown prince sought to convey to his citizens, neighbouring nations, and major global powers.
The second element underscores that the Kingdom's economic and social transformation represents a serious and inevitable project. It is not merely a matter for domestic or international media consumption; instead, it is an ongoing and imperative initiative that will persist until the Kingdom evolves into a state based on a knowledge-based economy, armed with state-of-the-art technology, and assured of its future.
Saudi Arabia
Perhaps the first message that Mohammed bin Salman sought to deliver was directed towards his country's citizens, encompassing three key elements.
Firstly, he emphasised that the fundamental impetus behind the Kingdom's foreign policies is its commitment to realising Vision 2030, aimed at fostering economic and social transformation. This journey begins with economic diversification to sustain ongoing economic development and prosperity.
Achieving this objective is intrinsically tied to resolving regional challenges, necessitating conflict resolutions in the region and fostering balanced international relations grounded in shared interests and mutual respect.
The second element underscores that the Kingdom's economic and social transformation represents a serious and inevitable project. It is not merely a matter for domestic or international media consumption; instead, it is an ongoing and imperative initiative that will persist until the Kingdom evolves into a state based on a knowledge-based economy, armed with state-of-the-art technology, and assured of its future.
The third element highlights the Kingdom's dedication to a substantial revamp of its legal framework and the restructuring of state institutions, all aimed at fortifying the rule of law and conforming to contemporary ideals. This commitment is evident in the prince's remarks, wherein he expressed his "discomfort" with certain existing laws.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks with Fox News Channel anchor, Bret Baier, in an interview aired September 21, 2023, in Neom, Saudi Arabia.
Israel
The second message was intended for Israel, signifying the Kingdom's receptivity to the peace process and its endorsement of US endeavours in this regard. Saudi Arabia regards the potential achievement of peace between the Kingdom and Israel as the most significant global development since the conclusion of the Cold War.
Nevertheless, it was evident that the Palestinian matter carries particular importance for the Kingdom. His stance underscores his desire to see "a US-brokered agreement that gives the Palestinians their needs, eases their lives, and makes the region calm and secure" as a prerequisite for reconciliation with Israel. "There is progress on this path," said the Saudi crown prince, "but we got to see where we go."
The Kingdom desires to maintain its enduring and robust military and political ties with the United States, a relationship that has endured for over eight decades. The defence treaty, which the KSA is seeking, is mutually advantageous for both the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Iran
The third message was for Iran, underscoring the Kingdom's respect for Iran's commitment to upholding its obligations within the agreement brokered with China's support. It also conveyed a desire to cultivate mutually beneficial relations between the two nations.
However, the Kingdom firmly articulated its position that, in order to safeguard its national security, it cannot endorse Iran's acquisition of nuclear weaponry. Should that happen, it would inevitably lead the Kingdom to pursue nuclear arms to ensure its security and uphold a balance of power.
United States
The crown prince's fourth message emphasised the Kingdom's desire to uphold its enduring and strong military and political ties with the United States, a relationship that has spanned over eight decades.
The defence treaty, which the KSA is seeking, is mutually advantageous for both the United States and Saudi Arabia. It not only reinforces the United States' regional influence in the Middle East but also bolsters the growth of its military sector. This is particularly significant, given that Saudi Arabia's procurement of military equipment from the United States exceeds the combined acquisitions of the top five states that import arms from the US.
The crown prince also sought to convey an unambiguous message: if the United States were to decline the proposed defence treaty, Saudi Arabia would find itself compelled to seek weapons from alternative sources.
However, this option is not the favoured one, as it would entail additional efforts related to negotiating procurement, training, and maintenance with the alternative supplier. This aligns with what he implied by the phrase "a headache we don't need."
Moreover, the crown prince aimed to assure the United States that Saudi Arabia's inclusion in the BRICS economic group does not imply a political alignment with China and Russia, as this group operates without a political agenda. Saudi Arabia and other nations, such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, maintain robust ties with the United States despite being members of the BRICS group.
The crown prince also made sure to underscore his neutral position regarding the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States.
On the one hand, he lauded President Biden, characterising him as "sharp-minded, with a strong focus, and well-prepared for his meetings." He highlighted that the shared agenda with the Biden administration encompasses a wide array of mutual concerns, spanning security, politics, technology, space, and economic initiatives.
On the other hand, he made sure to communicate with the American public through a television channel that is preferred by many Republicans.
China
The fifth message was directed towards China, providing assurances that Saudi Arabia has no intentions of curtailing or diminishing its relations with China. It anticipates that these relations will persist and thrive in the years ahead, and the United States must accept this fact.
Saudi Arabia acknowledges that China is indispensable as a trade partner and recognises the profound repercussions that the potential collapse of China's economy would inflict upon the global economy. Additionally, the crown prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's alignment with China's official "One China" policy regarding the Taiwan issue.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaks with FoxNews Channel, in an interview aired September 21, 2023, in Neom, Saudi Arabia.
Russia
The sixth message was directed towards Russia, emphasising that coordination within the "OPEC+" framework concerning oil prices will continue. He emphasised that Saudi Arabia will not alter its relationship with Russia in response to US pressure.
The crown prince also underlined that the prevailing factor determining global oil prices is the interplay of supply and demand. As such, coordination with oil-producing nations, including Russia, remains essential in this regard.
Simultaneously, the prince unequivocally expressed that Saudi Arabia's stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict hinges on the imperative for all parties to adhere to international law. This message serves as an indication to Russia that Saudi Arabia does not align with its position regarding Ukraine.
The potential peace treaty with Israel depends on the results that the Biden administration can achieve in satisfying the Palestinians within a framework of a peace process aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Yemen
The seventh message was directed towards the Yemeni people, affirming that Saudi Arabia has been and remains their staunchest supporter. It underscored that the road to a political resolution would pave the way for the reconstruction of Yemen, in which Saudi Arabia could play a pivotal role.
However, this is contingent on the Houthi rebels offering security assurances for the Kingdom's southern borders and fostering a political process that includes all Yemeni stakeholders and leads to a stable and flourishing Yemen.
To underscore the centrality of the Kingdom's domestic policies in all its external pursuits, the crown prince opted to convey his messages from the picturesque island of Sandala in the Red Sea.
Sandala is among the 32 islands currently undergoing development to accommodate tourists as part of the extensive NEOM project. It stands as one of five islands slated for official inauguration in the upcoming year.
Through these clear messages, the Saudi crown prince has effectively ended numerous media speculations surrounding the nature and particulars of the ongoing negotiations with the United States.
He has made it abundantly clear that the proposed defence treaty with the United States is mutually beneficial. He has also clarified that the potential peace treaty with Israel depends on the results that the Biden administration can achieve in satisfying the Palestinians within a framework of a peace process aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and that Saudi Arabia remains committed to fortifying and advancing its relations with China and other nations in a manner that aligns with its interests, requirements, and fosters equilibrium in its international relationships.
President Kennedy's quote, "Pleasant as it may be to bask in the warmth of recovery… the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining," aptly encapsulates the core message conveyed by Mohammed bin Salman.
It is evident and unequivocal: the Kingdom is steadfastly advancing with remarkable vigour to accomplish these significant and formidable transformations, seizing the opportunity to mend the roof while the sun is shining, without delay or dependence on external factors.
