By aligning diplomatic decisions with national interests and regional responsibilities, Saudi Arabia has developed a sophisticated approach to statecraft. Jonathan Panikoff, a former career US intelligence officer for Middle Eastern affairs, noted that Saudi Arabia will not move forward with normalisation until a tangible path to a Palestinian state exists. He added that the crown prince is expected to use his influence in Washington to secure clear American support for a sovereign Palestinian state, a move that reflects the kingdom’s diplomatic skill in managing global power dynamics without compromising national principles. The kingdom has also demonstrated its ability to balance national security with strategic independence by ensuring that negotiations with Washington do not affect the autonomy of its national decisions or vital interests (Read more at Arab Weekly).
In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks back at Mr Trump’s first 100 days in office to understand where his priorities lie in the Middle East and how his policies will shape the region. She speaks to Steven A Cook, senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and to Mohamad Bazzi, director of the Hagop Kevorkian Centre for Near Eastern Studies at New York University (Listen Here).