Not a day goes by without Western academic, analytical, and media publications, and even the tweets and private discussions of experts, mentioning the “new” Saudi Arabia and its political repositioning. The changes underway are pivotal for the success of Vision 2030 and its architect, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose charisma has played a crucial role in selling to the broader public the vision’s model for how to approach identity, sovereignty, and foreign relations strategies. This model has allowed Saudi Arabia to take back its rightful place in the world, given its current capabilities and future plans.
The latest Saudi initiative is its offer to host peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, inviting Western countries, Ukraine, and major emerging nations, including India and Brazil, to discuss the matter, according to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal that was subsequently reported by an array of outlets, broadcasters, and analysts. Over 30 countries will take part, including nations with significant influence within their regions, such as Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile, and Zambia.
Despite these newspapers and research centers attempting to twist the news, either through various - often biased - interpretations or by framing the initiative based on unreliable sources, which goes against the fundamentals of reporting on conferences that are still being prepared and announced. Russia’s response to the news was more clear-cut, with the Russians saying that they are open to peace talks and reiterating their appreciation of their close relationship with Saudi Arabia, particularly considering its key role in OPEC+.
It might be too early to comment on and discuss this initiative, but what we can say is that it comes within the framework of a broader, clearly-defined Saudi project that has been underway since the launch of Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s global standing. This vision is founded on concrete, multifaceted achievements in politics, the economy, crisis management, and the resolution of conflicts in the region and the globe. These transformations have been further reinforced by successes in Iraq, de-escalation and breakthroughs with Iran, and the emergence of a clear vision for a sustainable resolution in Yemen. The Kingdom has also opened itself up to the entire world through a strategy of constructive partnership.
As for the Kingdom’s clear stance on international conflicts, the position of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council clearly recognizes the complexities of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Theirs might not align with the Western perspective, given the other conflicts that are just as complicated, despite the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries voting in favor of United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, the approach they subsequently took in the wake of Western sanctions reflects their commitment to maintaining a degree of neutrality that allows for positive ties with Russia. This approach aligns with the political foreign policy repositioning we mentioned earlier. Through it, the Kingdom seeks to ensure its sovereignty, independence, and neutrality and does not require alignment in a multipolar world. This vision, in turn, has paved the way for diversifying the Kingdom’s security, economic, and investment partners.
These shifts in the Middle East echo previous phases it has undergone since the end of World War II, and they highlight the significance of this part of the world. Nonetheless, the situation is shaped by different factors, inputs, and mechanisms, today. The most prominent development is the rise of China, which continues to raise grave concerns in the United States and, to a lesser extent, in the European Union. Their reprehension can be seen in surveys conducted by Western pollsters. Among the most comprehensive of these surveys was one recently conducted by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which is affiliated with Germany’s governing Social Democratic Party.
According to a report by the Carnegie Institute, the survey covered nine Arab countries, in addition to Türkiye, Iran, and Israel, and showed major shifts in the degree of trust in US policies in the region. It also found that the Russian-Ukrainian war is framed within the context of a geopolitical conflict between Russia and the West, not as a war between two countries. There seems to be a consensus in these countries that Washington is the main beneficiary of the Ukraine war. The results provide other astonishing and surprising insights regarding the deployment of Western and US forces. It also provides insights into other key issues, notably that many believe that we are now in a new, multipolar world.
The conclusion one can draw from these impressions, analyses, and surveys is that a new Middle East is emerging. Its mood has changed, and it has grown thicker skin. The region can no longer tolerate the double standards or the recurrent efforts to undermine the sovereignty and aspirations of its people. Its youthful population aspires to an “ambitious homeland, a vigorous economy, and a vibrant society.” Coincidentally, these are the key pillars of Vision 2030, the cornerstone of the great Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s transformation.
