The US response to regional unrest has pitched Washington and Riyadh against each other, but they are better off working together
On the morning of 18 October, Saudi diplomats were enjoying a brief moment of celebration. They had just found out the kingdom had been elected to a coveted two-year seat on the UN Security Council, the highest body for international security in the world.
Abdullah al-Moullimi, Riyadhs ambassador to the UN, called it a defining moment in the kingdoms history. Just a few hours later, news came from the Saudi capital that it was rejecting the seat.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the Security Councils failure to end the bloodshed in Syria or find a peaceful solution to relations between Israel and the Palestinians. The real target of Riyadhs ire was Washington.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, Washingtons policies in the Middle East have consistently incurred opprobrium in Riyadh. From failing to launch military action in Syria, trying to promote democratic reform in Bahrain, to pulling support for Egypts Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and then failing to back the subsequent removal of a Muslim Brotherhood government by the military, US policies have been directly opposed to Saudi Arabias actions over the past few years. The possibility of a US rapprochement with Iran also worries the Saudis.
With Riyadh feeling the US is no longer protecting its interests, the kingdom is adopting a more muscular foreign policy. It will find that no one is able to replace its relationship with the US, which gives the kingdom protection against the threat of Iranian expansionism and valuable cooperation on counterterrorism.
Washington has leapt to respond to Riyadhs concerns, with Secretary of State John Kerry meeting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud
al-Faisal. A key reason for the breakdown in relations has been poor communication. The US response to the Middle East turmoil has been muddied at best. The two sides have held opposing views in the past, but have resolved their differences. Both governments know they need each other to protect their wider interests.
You might also like...
McDermott completes financial restructuring exercise
28 March 2024
Region heads for hotel boom
28 March 2024
Lowest bidders emerge for Kuwait housing project
28 March 2024
Redcon wins Red Sea Triple Bay infrastructure deal
28 March 2024
A MEED Subscription...
Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.