Last week, the world turned its attention to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as US and Ukrainian officials met to resolve the long-standing allies’ dispute that had exploded, two weeks ago, in the White House. The two sides chose Saudi Arabia to host this historic meeting, preferring it over the multitude of international bodies set up to find solutions for disputes between countries, because they know that it is a neutral space and a country they can trust.
The bigger picture, however, is that a complicated conflict in Ukraine that cannot be easily contained continues. It is a global conflict that has split the world into those who have sided with Russia and the Western camp. The conflict has intermittently heated up internationally, and it has consumed significant European, American, and Russian resources, and destroyed cities and even lives. Indeed, some sources estimate that the conflict is killing three thousand people every week.
International conflicts erupt for a variety of reasons, including border disputes between neighbors, ethnic conflicts, ideological economic competition, and historical grievances. These conflicts can go on for long periods, even for generations, as we see in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a history of facilitating conflict resolution. The 1989 Taif Agreement is one example. Lebanon was being torn apart by warring factions, and the Kingdom managed to reconcile the Lebanese, with the Taif Agreement becoming a milestone in Lebanon's contemporary political history. As we know, some Lebanese have reneged on many of the agreement’s stipulations. If the Agreement had been respected, Lebanon would have been spared the suffering it has endured since.
Nonetheless, in Saudi Arabia's effort to resolve this major international crisis, we have something else entirely. Success has a whole set of different requirements. Creating an environment conducive to negotiations is essential; the two sides of the dispute must feel they can communicate directly, seeking their interests and voicing their concerns without inhibition. The Kingdom's effort to facilitate dialogue helps the two sides find solutions. To succeed, the host country must have particular qualities and capabilities; both parties must be confident that Saudi Arabia is a neutral and fair mediator, allowing them both to trust that their fundamental interests will be safeguarded.
Conflict resolution is complex and multifaceted. It requires active diplomacy, well-documented information, a strategy built on knowledge and patience, and an understanding of the intricate dynamics of global relations and the balance of power. These elements can pave the way for dialogue, bridge differences, and weave together peaceful solutions and acceptable options.
That is where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman comes in. His strong communication skills and determination are buttressed by Saudi Arabia’s long-standing diplomatic experience and the ethical policy positions that have historically characterized Saudi Arabia's engagement with the world.
The path to resolving international conflicts can be thorny; progress is rarely linear. Accordingly, the focus must remain on major issues and the strategic interests of all parties. The disputing
parties trust the mediator absolutely- the kind of trust Russians, Americans, and Ukrainians have clearly placed in the Crown Prince.
If progress is made, the leaders of all three parties (Russia, Ukraine, and the United States), and perhaps European leaders, could potentially choose Saudi as their host for talks to bring the longest armed conflict in Europe since World War II to an end, inaugurating a new phase of peace.
Conflict resolution has traditionally been the reserve of major powers. The United States played this role in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and the 1978 Camp David Accords. For the first time, the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, has become the center of gravity of international conflict resolution. This is deeply significant. It signals that Saudi Arabia is vigorously pursuing peace, turning the Kingdom into a venue that global powers trust and inaugurating a new era of proactive diplomacy.
A final word: Saudi Arabia’s neutral stance on this crisis, which has been accepted by all parties, was reflected in its humanitarian support for Ukraine, whose president it has hosted on several occasions while maintaining healthy relations with all sides.
