Washington & Riyadh Global Summit
Without realizing it, or without many realizing the magnitude of the visit in its immediate aftermath, history unfolded in the recent visit of President Trump to Riyadh.
An American President began his visit to The Middle East with a stop in Riyadh first. What was the remarkable feature of this itinerary were the over four dozen heads of state from Muslim countries who were awaiting The President not only for his arrival but what would amount to a global summit in stature.
What we witnessed was the first public step of the realization of The Kingdom 2030 plan and simultaneous recognition of Washington of Riyadh is the preeminent power in the Muslim world.
These two realities, The Kingdom 2030 plan and this de facto recognition bestowed upon us by our dear partners in Washington, simply reflect not only the natural order of things in the region, but an indication of what will lie ahead.
There are critical aspects that need to be brought to light to properly address the significance of this summit. And these two aspects are The Kingdom 2030 Plan articulated to us by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and our strategic partnership with The United States. They are the central underpinnings to the basis for obtaining a proper understanding of The Washington/Riyadh Global Summit recently concluded.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is The Custodian of The Two Holy Cities, most sacred to Muslims worldwide. This Blessed position will always allow The Kingdom to have a central place in The Muslim World and a leadership role to not only assume but play. This is the foundational basis that allows for The Kingdom to have the platform for being a regional and global power. Without this the prospects for the ability of The Kingdom to have a global reach becomes a considerably more difficult prospect. Second, geography.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sits at the very crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia while having a position in the very heart of The Middle East itself. Furthermore it sits on two of the world's most important water routes for international trade in The Arabian Gulf and The Red Sea. It simultaneously occupies a balcony into The Arabian Sea, also a vitally important trade route for international commerce today as well because it provides the initial steps of linking global commerce to India, Southeast Asia, and onwards to the Asian Pacific-Rim Nations as well. It is uniquely situated to not only be a dominant player in The Middle East, but the bridge for Europe into the region, and the springboard for the region into Asia. There is no other Nation-State on the planet that can currently be a bridge to Europe, The Middle East and Asia like The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Third, the availability of natural resources. Yes, oil is, and always will be an important part of The Kingdom but with the emergence of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, ores, precious minerals, petrochemicals, copper, gold and silver it provides The Kingdom with a strategic base for a massive expansion of the economy. The reality is that The Kingdom is only beginning to touch its potential.
The strategic partnership Washington has maintained with us is as strong as any The United States has maintained since World War II. With the announcement of new weapons deals, investment, and a seeking of deeper operational capacity in the armed forces of both countries is putting The Kingdom on an unusual footing regarding many of Washington’s allies.
In a short time The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could work with The United States in an operational manner that only Great Britain, Canada and Australia can regarding the ability to mount and sustain independent strategic campaigns.
The convergence of interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran will only form what has been required but not yet forthcoming: A NATO-like organization, based out of The Gulf Council Countries, and under the leadership of Washington and Riyadh.
The members of The Gulf Council has proved their value in strategy and quality of individual soldiers in Yemen.
It can be clearly stated that with The Gulf Council intervening in Yemen the first initial check to Iranian aggression has been obtained. What remains to be done in Syria is an open question but one that will be eventually addressed. The loss of over a half-million civilians deserves nothing less.
