Dr. Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, said US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday is very important and that it sends messages not just to the international community, but inside the US itself.
The messages indicate that Saudi Arabia is the most important country for American interests, not just in the Middle East, but the entire world, Haykel told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview.
Haykel added that Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has dedicated his life in service of his country and has set national interests above all else.
Haykel expects Trump’s visit to Riyadh to yield several bilateral agreements. The deals may cover vital sectors such as AI, the development of a peaceful nuclear program and facilitating arms deals.
He ruled out, however, reaching any agreement that would pave the way for the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Such an agreement must be tied with a clear pledge from Israel to establish an independent sovereign Palestinian state.
‘Excellent’ relations
Trump’s visit is expected to be a success on several levels, notably on the level of bilateral ties or files related the war on Ukraine, Haykel went on to say.
Relations between Riyadh and Washington are “excellent”, as they have been during the final two year’s of former President Joe Biden’s term in office, despite the difference in policies, he noted.
Trump’s return to the White House has restored momentum in the bilateral relations, while Saudi Arabia recognizes the differences between the former and current administration, he continued.
The Kingdom has managed to build solid relations with both the Republican and Democratic parties based on its firm policy that is founded on consolidating regional security and stability, explained Haykel.
This policy intersects with American interests in several files, most notably achieving regional peace and over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump and Biden both oppose Iran developing nuclear weapons, Haykel said.
Saudi Arabia’s global standing
By choosing Saudi Arabia again as the destination of his first foreign visit, Trump is clearly saying that the Kingdom is the United States’ most important partner, not just in the Middle East, but the world, Haykel added.
The Kingdom’s role in complex international files, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, consolidated its standing as an influential global player, he remarked.
He warned, however, that the visit is not without its risks. He explained that Trump still faces severe internal opposition, and his rivals will use the visit to target Saudi Arabia in the media.
Circumstances, though, have changed since his first term in office. The media attacks will not be as intense as the first time he visited the Kingdom given its balanced foreign policy and strong ties with the Republican and Democratic parties, predicted Haykel.
On this note, he hailed Crown Prince Mohammed’s ability to forge strong ties with world leaders. He has dedicated his life to serving the Kingdom and so, he realizes the importance of establishing strong ties with various world leaders.
The Crown Prince places Saudi interests above all else as demonstrated by his decision to open a new chapter in relations with Iran, for example, Haykel said.
No normalization
During Trump’s visit, Riyadh and Washington will likely negotiate a number of strategic agreements that cover security cooperation, a peaceful nuclear program, exchange of goods, AI and facilitating US arms sales to the Kingdom.
Some of these agreements were tied to Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel, said Haykel, but such a deal is unlikely to happen without the latter making real concessions to the Palestinians, starting with accepting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
It is obvious that Saudi Arabia will not go ahead with the normalization, he stressed. Strategic agreements will be separated from the normalization efforts.
