Anxious times test both nations and men. Most countries tend to retreat before the storm, settling for attempts to limit the damage while accepting a future existence in a world shaped by others. Other countries choose to rise to their national and international responsibilities, participating in the effort to emerge from the tensions and shape the world that follows. This requires an accurate reading of the root causes of crises and the effective management of leverage, all within a vision that aligns with the people's aspirations for stability, progress, and prosperity.
The state visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to France falls within the choice of not surrendering to the storm and seeking pillars of stability, in pursuit of a less anxious world in both the Middle East and Europe, as interests and destinies are interconnected between the two regions.
Today, the world resembles a giant airplane that has slipped into a long stretch of unprecedented turbulence. The most difficult aspect of the journey is the absence of safety valves. International legitimacy watches helplessly as major threats loom over security, stability, and the global economy. This is accompanied by the absence of a minimum consensus within the club of major powers, particularly after two of its members became embroiled in wars that are difficult to resolve by military means alone.
In Paris, a visitor senses that Europe and the Middle East share a deep anxiety over the current international landscape, which forebodes exceptional risks. Europe is living through its most difficult experience since World War II. Five years ago, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and all efforts to achieve a ceasefire have so far failed. It is a war that has forced the old continent to reconsider Russia as no longer a reliable partner, nor one whose ambitions can be predicted. For the first time since the suicide of the Soviet Union, the phrase "the Russian threat" has reawakened in the discussions of diplomats and generals.
A French diplomat who worked for a long time in the Middle East believes that Donald Trump’s return to the White House shook the system of international relations due to his approach based on surprises, deals, shocks, and shifts outside the previous lexicon and its constraints. He pointed to the stinging remarks Trump directed at the NATO alliance and the Europe, as well as a series of disputes with its major countries. Thus, Europe discovered that it no longer has the right to sleep soundly on the American pillow if its security is threatened, and that it must modernize its arsenals and go far in spending on them.
Added to Europe’s anxiety over its security and relations with America is deep international concern over the continuous flow of oil and gas and global trade routes. Turning the Strait of Hormuz into a hostage in the hands of the Revolutionary Guard generals is an extremely dangerous development for regional countries and the entire global economy. Furthermore, the ambiguity surrounding the US-Iran confrontation and its potential outcomes reinforces fears of establishing new norms that could lead to permanent instability.
The diplomat said that Europe is questioning its future position in light of American behavior, Russian hardlining, and the rise of China. It is questioning its position alongside its security, economy, ability to compete, and the protection of its interests. He considered it natural for Middle Eastern countries to also question their future amid Iran's destabilization project, the reckless policy of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, economic failure in some countries, and the problems of fractured states elsewhere. He noted that the talks between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron are of exceptional importance, especially as they come during a difficult time internationally, and across Europe and the Middle East.
In recent years, Paris and Riyadh have demonstrated a mutual eagerness to deepen their existing relationship. This is natural, as both countries recognize each other's importance and what they can offer across various fields. France is an advanced industrial nation racing against time in the era of artificial intelligence and successive technological revolutions. It is a nuclear power that consolidates its leading role in Europe. Furthermore, it is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power and an active presence in addressing global crises.
In addition, France, which has a long-standing presence in the Middle East, has shown a serious desire to resolve the region’s problems. A prime example is its joint action with Saudi Arabia to open horizons for the establishment of a Palestinian state. While France has much to offer in defense, diplomacy, and trade, it also boasts cultural brilliance and a rich experience in tourism and preserving the treasures of the past.
In return, France recognizes Saudi Arabia’s importance and its economic, political, and religious weight in the Arab and Islamic worlds. It also realizes that Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has awakened more of Saudi Arabia's latent strengths. In recent years, the Kingdom has transformed into an open workshop for rapid economic transformation, relying on planning and capitalizing on technological development. It has become a model of progress and openness, as well as a dynamic player in both Arab and international frameworks, characterized by an active diplomacy that has deepened the Kingdom's relations with major powers and consolidated diverse partnerships.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to practice rational policies in a semi-insane region where some states do not hesitate to plunge into aggressive or semi-suicidal practices. The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye serves as a model for building pillars of stability in a turbulent world.
The inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council carries exceptional importance. The same can be said for the dialogue on new energy corridors and political initiatives aimed at helping build a world beyond the current major turmoil. Riyadh recognizes the significance of the European gateway represented by France, while Paris understands the importance of the Arab and Islamic gateway represented by Saudi Arabia. Thus, the meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Macron appears to be a decision to invest in the future despite the widespread international anxiety.
