Saudi Crown Prince presents Saudi Arabia’s forward looking approach
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is actively working to alter the
perception of Saudi Arabia among the American public. In his recent interview
with Fox News, he addressed several critical issues, including arms sales, oil
prices, human rights concerns, and the Jamal Khashoggi case. Simultaneously, he
emphasized Saudi Arabia's forward-looking approach, promoting the nation as a
desirable tourist destination and expressing a strong commitment to maintaining
the United States as its primary security partner.
For decades, the American understanding of Saudi Arabia has been limited
to a few specific topics, such as arms sales, oil prices, human rights
concerns, and more recently, the tragic killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In this 36-minute interview, Prince Mohammed spoke in English to address these
issues comprehensively. He underscored Saudi Arabia's future-oriented
perspective, inviting American tourists to explore the kingdom while
reaffirming the importance of the Saudi-US security alliance.
Jonathan Panikoff, the Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security
Initiative at the Atlantic Council, noted that the Crown Prince effectively
conveyed Saudi Arabia's transformation into a modern, evolving state to a
broader Western audience. Notably, this interview, conducted in English, marked
the first time many Americans had seen him speak and respond to questions from
a US journalist.
Bernard Haykel, a Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton
University, observed that Prince Mohammed openly admitted to making
"mistakes," particularly concerning the Khashoggi incident. He
acknowledged that Saudi courts had sentenced an individual to death over social
media posts and online activity, recognizing the need to reform existing laws
on such matters. Furthermore, he expressed hope for a more just review of the
case by higher court judges. Regarding Khashoggi's killing, Prince Mohammed
assured that those responsible were in custody, and Saudi Arabia had
implemented reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The interview also highlighted the improved relations between Prince
Mohammed and US President Joe Biden over the past year. From an awkward fist
bump in 2022 to a warm handshake at the G20 summit in India, their relationship
has evolved positively. Prince Mohammed also praised President Biden's mental
acuity, signaling progress on various issues.
Regarding security, Prince Mohammed emphasized Saudi Arabia's status as
the top purchaser of US weaponry and expressed his desire to maintain the US
defense relationship, despite other potential arms suppliers. He stressed the
importance of continuity to avoid disruptions.
Ultimately, the Crown Prince conveyed a strong message that the United
States is Saudi Arabia's foremost strategic ally, indicating his commitment to
fostering a robust relationship. He also emerged as a pragmatic nationalist,
prioritizing the well-being of his people and the country's economy over
external perceptions.
In the interview, Prince Mohammed expressed his hope that Saudi Arabia
would welcome between 100 million and 150 million visitors by 2030. When
questioned about criticism regarding Saudi Arabia's investments in sports,
often referred to as "sportswashing," he dismissed concerns,
emphasizing that if such investments significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's
GDP, the country would continue to pursue them.
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