Saudi Crown Prince Captures Attention of US Media

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an interview with Fox News (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an interview with Fox News (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Crown Prince Captures Attention of US Media

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an interview with Fox News (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an interview with Fox News (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Extensive media coverage in the United States has focused on Fox News’ interview with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which was aired on Wednesday evening.

The dialogue with the Crown Prince shed light on the situation in the Middle East and relations with Israel.

Additionally, the interview brought attention to the Crown Prince’s commitment to enhancing living conditions of Palestinians.

Topics covered during the interview were diverse and resonated in both political and economic dimensions. They encompassed discussions about Chinese and American leaders, Iran, energy markets, Vision 2030, economic growth, and judicial reforms.

US media outlets gave emphasis to the Crown Prince’s leadership abilities and his willingness to establish improved relations with Iran, while also highlighting his determination to obtain nuclear capabilities should Iran acquire them.

They directly referenced messages conveyed during the interview to President Joe Biden’s administration, which could represent a significant political triumph in foreign policy if negotiations for normalization with Israel were successful.

The New York Post’s Victor Nava covered statements by the Crown Prince on the Kingdom’s approach when it comes to the question of acquiring nuclear weapons if Iran does so first.

According to Nava, the Crown Prince expressed “concern” about the possibility of a nuclear Iran in the wide-ranging interview with Fox News host Bret Baier.

“Well, we are concerned [about] any country getting a nuclear weapon. That’s a bad move,” said the Crown Prince.

“You don’t need to get a nuclear weapon because you can’t use it even if you can get a nuclear weapon.”

The Crown Prince argued that if Iran is able to obtain a nuclear weapon and its authoritarian regime decides to use it, the country would quickly find itself at war with “the world.”

“The world cannot see another Hiroshima,” he noted.

On the other hand, CNN emphasized the statements made by the Saudi Crown Prince regarding the prospects of normalizing ties with Israel.

The news channel pointed to the Crown Prince’s statements on Saudi Arabia getting closer every day to reaching an agreement with Israel.

CNN deemed these statements as unprecedented, particularly in the context of ongoing negotiations being taken “very seriously.”

The Crown Prince had told Baier that a pact with Israel would be “the biggest historical deal since the Cold War.”



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.