Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify security alliances 'from East to West'
- Why is Saudi Arabia seeking to diversify its security alliances?
- What influence do the US elections have on Saudi Arabia's international policy?
- China's influence in the region
Saudi Arabia is seeking new security alliances that would allow it to become somewhat independent of US arms exports. After visiting Beijing, Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman visited Ankara, the Turkish capital, where he met behind closed doors with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler.
The main purpose of the meeting was to seek new agreements to strengthen the defence of both countries and thus help maintain stability in the region.
Diversifying sources of defence funding is key to the Saudi kingdom's security as it is a key player in the Middle East. The prince's visit to Ankara and Beijing is a strategic move for Saudi Arabia, as it allows the kingdom to strengthen its relations with other countries and reduce its dependence on the US.
The importance of the agreement is such that, according to Al-Arab, 'security is considered a matter of exceptional interest and they are embarking on the biggest development plan in their history, as their territorial stability is seriously threatened by conflicts very close to their borders'.
In addition to defence, economic competition is an important issue in the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia and its partners, such as Turkey and China, are looking for ways to cooperate to strengthen their economies and reduce their dependence on the United States.
The visit comes after serious tensions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. However, both sides seem to have decided to cool the conflict and reconcile, which led to reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, its long-standing regional rival, as well as between Turkey and some countries with which they have "sensitive relations".
Saudi Arabia can benefit from a visit to Turkey in terms of weapons and defence systems, as Turkey has made significant progress and has become one of the countries producing a variety of highly effective weapons.
In addition, Saudi Arabia is also making efforts to strengthen relations with China, as evidenced by Khalid's visit to Beijing, during which he discussed with his Chinese counterpart and Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, Zhang Yuxia, Saudi-Chinese relations on how to improve them within the framework of defence strategy.
Why is Saudi Arabia seeking to diversify its security alliances?
Resource diversification is the pillar on which Saudi Arabia wants to build the future of its economy. Changes in US foreign policy, the tense situation in the Gulf states, economic relations between Russia and China, and the situation in Yemen are setting off alarm bells in Saudi Arabia.
As a result, a round of official visits has taken place among the Saudi political class to renew and sign defence agreements. The visit of Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, to Ankara and Beijing is an example of this approach, as it allows Saudi Arabia to strengthen its relations with other countries and reduce its dependence on the US.
The visit can be seen as a "strategic move" for the Middle East region, as it allows Saudi Arabia to strengthen its relations with other countries and reduce its dependence on the US. For US diplomacy, collaborating with the Chinese government leads to a deterioration of relations. The Saudi defence minister's visit to China could therefore be seen as a 'pulse' on the US.
What influence do the US elections have on Saudi Arabia's international policy?
The visit comes months after rumours of a possible deal between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, and Washington, in which the Americans pledged to support and protect the Saudi kingdom in a bid to establish good relations and lay the groundwork with Israel.
Al Arab observers believe that the normalisation of relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv and the related defence agreement are closely linked to the US Democratic Party administration's electoral goals.
But if there is one concern, it is the US elections, where the possible return of Donald Trump could turn the global geopolitical chessboard upside down. The Middle East region is a place where security is a crucial issue, and Saudi Arabia needs to ensure it has strong allies to protect its interests, especially in the face of growing Iranian allies.
China's influence in the region
An important issue is China's influence in the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia and partners such as Turkey and China are working to strengthen ties with China and reduce dependence on the US.
China's influence in the Middle East is important as the Asian giant has increased its ascendancy over the region in recent years by investing heavily in infrastructure and port projects. Saudi Arabia and its partners are working to strengthen ties with China and reduce dependence on the US.