Frankly Speaking: Does Riyadh prefer Trump or Harris?

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Updated 04 November 2024
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Frankly Speaking: Does Riyadh prefer Trump or Harris?

Frankly Speaking: Does Riyadh prefer Trump or Harris?
  • Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi says Kingdom does not have a favorite but is looking to work closely with whichever candidate wins to help resolve the Middle East conflict

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia does not have a favorite in the US presidential race, and would enjoy strong relations with either Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris, Saudi political commentator Ali Shihabi has said.

According to him, the Kingdom’s priority is to use its relationship with Washington to address pressing regional issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I think the Kingdom is in a very advantageous position of having excellent ties with both parties,” Shihabi said on the Arab News current affairs program “Frankly Speaking” just days before American voters are due to go to the polls.

“Either option works out well for the Kingdom, which is quite a unique state of affairs really in situations like this.”




Combo image showing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (L) at a campaign rally in Reno, Nevada, on Oct.31, 2024, and former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) at a campaign rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 29, 2024. (AFP)

Shihabi said Saudi Arabia may have historically leaned more toward the Republican Party, but the situation is different this time around, as in recent years the Kingdom’s relationship with the Democrats has vastly improved.

“Things have gone very well with the Democrats — not well early on, as everybody knows,” he added, referring to President Joe Biden’s threat to make Saudi Arabia “the pariah that they are” when he was campaigning for the presidency in 2019.

However, “the Ukraine-Russian war helped drive home the strategic importance of the Kingdom,” compelling the Biden administration to reassess its stance and to view Saudi Arabia as a stabilizing influence in the region, Shihabi said.

“Now, really, the relationship is as good as it could be at a deep institutional level,” he told “Frankly Speaking” host Katie Jensen. “And that would be expected to continue with a new Democratic administration.

“A new Democratic administration would be expected to carry on and adopt a lot of, if not all, the work that the previous Biden-Harris administration carried out. “At the same time, there’s a very warm relationship with Mr. Trump and the people around him. So it really works out well for the Kingdom either way. And that’s not a usual situation.

“Usually there has been a preference for Republicans, and ties have been closer under Republican administrations. But I think in this case it works out well, whoever wins.”




Ali Shihabi is an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

Shihabi said recognition of the Kingdom’s strategic importance in the Middle East has established it as a key partner for Washington, regardless of which party is in power. 
Likewise, Saudi Arabia is looking to the US, no matter which candidate wins, to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Kingdom has taken significant steps to advance the two-state solution, having launched a global coalition in September for this purpose. Shihabi believes US involvement is essential for any long-term success.

“America is an essential component and American pressure is an essential component,” he said. “Without the US, efforts to push Israel toward a meaningful solution may struggle to gain traction, given that Washington holds unique leverage over Israel.”

Shihabi said the attitude of the US toward Israeli actions will significantly impact the prospects for peace. “Unfortunately, the Biden administration wasn’t very strong or decisive with Israel,” he added, underscoring the need for firmer American resolve.

Just a few months ago, a historic US-Saudi security pact appeared to be imminent. At that time, bilateral relations appeared poised for a transformative agreement that could have included normalization with Israel.

However, the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that led to Israel’s invasion of Gaza is seen as having reshaped the political landscape, making such an agreement and Saudi-Israeli normalization unlikely in the near term. “It’s probably completely off the table for the time being, unless there’s a dramatic shift in the attitude of the Israeli government,” said Shihabi.

While a formal pact may be postponed, Shihabi believes the talks have already yielded closer security ties between the US and Saudi Arabia. “I think the discussions with America on that file have brought the Kingdom and America very close in sort of a de-facto security arrangement that isn’t a de-jure one yet,” he said.

Shihabi, who is an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia, believes the next US administration — whether led by Trump or Harris — is likely to revisit the normalization talks. Indeed, both candidates have shown interest in brokering peace deals, and Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance in the Middle East ensures that these discussions will remain relevant.

However, Shihabi said much will depend on the next US administration’s willingness to press Israel toward meaningful concessions for the Palestinians. “The Israelis may be miscalculating if they think that Mr. Trump will be completely in their hands,” he said, hinting that the former president’s potential unpredictability could lead to renewed pressure on Israel if he returns to office.

“At the same time, the Harris administration will be inheriting a tremendous amount of work that the Harris-Biden administration carried out. So I think both parties will continue to pursue this file.”

During a recent roundtable with journalists ahead of last month’s BRICS Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US bore responsibility for the worsening Israeli-Palestinian conflict, attributing it to what he called American monopolization of the peace process.

Asked if Russia has enough leverage to deliver a miracle that the Middle East desperately needs, Shihabi said: “No. Unfortunately, I don’t think so.” He believes it is ultimately American pressure that has the greatest impact on Israel.

“Whether it’s part of the Quartet or whether it’s not part of the Quartet, it boils down to the backbone that an American president has in standing up to the Israelis,” he said, referring to the joint peace efforts of the US, UN, EU and Russia.

Shihabi cited past examples where US presidents exerted influence over Israel, such as when President Dwight D. Eisenhower forced Israel to withdraw from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in 1956, and when George H. W. Bush offered conditional loans in the 1990s.

While these instances are rare, Shihabi said, they demonstrate that US influence can shift Israeli policy when applied decisively. He remains skeptical that the current Israeli government, with its hardline stance, will make concessions without firm American intervention.

This challenge places considerable responsibility on Washington, as “the only party that has real muscle with Israel is America,” he said. “The problem is, sometimes it’s Israel that has muscle in America and not the other way around.

“The Israelis are very strong in America. They have a very strong lobbying operation. They exert enormous influence through a variety of means.

“It’s very rare that you get an American administration that takes out the stick to put the Israelis back into line. It may happen. I wouldn’t give it a huge amount of hope, but it’s not impossible.”

One of the more surprising developments of this election cycle is the shifting support of Arab-American voters, who according to a recent Arab News-YouGov poll are drawn by a 2 percent margin to Trump over Harris.

Shihabi said the finding likely reflects the voter group’s disillusionment with the current administration’s approach to Israel. “They’re confused, obviously, because the Biden administration has been very weak-kneed with the Israelis, and hasn’t been exerting enough influence or been adequately restraining them,” he added.

Despite Trump’s history of supporting Israel, Arab-American voters appear to believe he might take a stronger stance on the Palestinian issue if reelected. Shihabi believes this sentiment has something to do with Trump’s reputation as a dealmaker and his unpredictable approach to international affairs.




Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on the politics and economics of Saudi Arabia, speaks with Frankly Speaking host Katie Jensen. (AN photo by Abdulrahman bin Shalhoub)

“There’s that sense among some people that Trump may surprise us because he’s a strong individual; he doesn’t like to be pushed around,” Shihabi said. “He’ll be in his final term, and he loves making deals, and he’d love to solve the Middle Eastern question.

“I think the Israelis may find that they don’t get what they exactly wished for if Mr. Trump wins … He may surprise us all.”

Arab Americans have shown particular concern for the situation in Gaza, with polls indicating the issue ranks higher in importance than domestic matters such as healthcare or the economy.

According to Shihabi, the focus on Gaza revealed by the survey is a reflection of the emotional and cultural impact the conflict has had on Arab-American voters. “There’s been such wanton criminality in the way that the Israelis have behaved, and such intense human suffering, that it’s affected them like it’s affected so many other people,” he said.

The potential influence of the Arab-American vote may come into play in swing states such as Michigan, where even a small margin could sway the outcome. “It’ll be very nice if the Arab-American vote ends up making an impact, either way, because that will show that the Arab Americans are beginning to develop some political muscle,” Shihabi said.

While it remains uncertain whether their votes will tip the scales, he added, the predicted increased voter turnout among Arab Americans indicates a growing political awareness and engagement within the community.

With the leads enjoyed by Harris and Trump in different polls still razor thin, Shihabi would not be drawn on who he thought will be the likely winner. “It’s a coin toss as to which one of them will win,” he said. “We’ll just have to wait.”
 

 


Misk Foundation headquarters awarded WELL certificate for innovative design

Misk Foundation headquarters awarded WELL certificate for innovative design
Updated 22 sec ago
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Misk Foundation headquarters awarded WELL certificate for innovative design

Misk Foundation headquarters awarded WELL certificate for innovative design
  • The globally recognized certificate is given by the International WELL Building Institute
  • WELL certificate acknowledged that Misk's headquarters is a role model and center for innovative urban design

RIYADH: The headquarters of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as the Misk Foundation, received the WELL gold certificate on Sunday for its innovative urban design.

The globally recognized certificate is given by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) which aims to encourage organizations to prioritize health and well-being through building design.

The acclaimed headquarters is in the Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, also known as Misk City, in Riyadh.

The WELL certificate acknowledged that Misk's headquarters is a role model and center for innovative urban design in Saudi Arabia, committed to creating sustainable urban spaces that focus on human health and well-being.

IWBI's certificate considers various elements in the urban and building design such as air quality, water purity, light, temperature and insulation, contact with nature, and flow of movement.

The Misk Foundation's headquarters have integrated these WELL elements to provide a healthy and supportive working environment for its employees, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This latest accomplishment is in line with Misk Foundation's current pursuit of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificate which would further strengthen Misk's position as a model for healthy and green design in the Middle East.


Saudi Arabia and UK forge deeper ties in trade, tourism and innovation

Saudi Arabia and UK forge deeper ties in trade, tourism and innovation
Updated 08 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia and UK forge deeper ties in trade, tourism and innovation

Saudi Arabia and UK forge deeper ties in trade, tourism and innovation
  • Kingdom has welcomed more than 165,600 British tourists since 2019
  • Trade reaches £17.6 billion ($22.4 billion) in year ending March 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom are solidifying their partnership through expanded collaborations in key sectors, including finance, trade, tourism and innovation.

The strategic alignment reflects both countries’ shared aspirations for economic growth and diversification, with Saudi Arabia leveraging its Vision 2030 initiative and the UK seeking stronger ties in the Gulf region.

Recent high-level discussions underscore a mutual commitment to bolstering bilateral trade, setting ambitious targets, and fostering cross-industry synergies.

Lucy Frazer, Former UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport

These efforts are underpinned by cultural exchanges, increased tourism flows, and cooperative initiatives in emerging sectors such as clean technology and heritage preservation.

According to data from the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade, total trade in goods and services with Saudi Arabia reached £17.6 billion ($22.4 billion) in the year ending March 2024.

During a top ministerial meeting in Riyadh in September between Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi and the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, officials discussed a target to increase bilateral trade to £30 billion ($39.6 billion) by 2030.

We’ve always had a very strong relationship, but that relationship is getting closer as Saudi Arabia undergoes this huge societal and economic change.

Lucy Frazer, Former UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport

After the meeting, Al-Qasabi noted the implementation of 79 initiatives in 13 economic sectors to strengthen Saudi-British relations that have led to more than 30 percent growth between 2018 and 2023.

“Economic growth is this government’s driving mission, and boosting trade and investment with some of the world’s biggest economies is crucial to that,” Reynolds said in a statement.

The Kingdom was the UK’s 23rd largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of the year’s first quarter, accounting for 1 percent of total UK trade.

Chairwoman of the Saudi British Joint Business Council Jennie Gubbins spoke to Arab News in November 2023 and said that bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and the UK had increased 68 percent in the previous year.

She said at the time: “This is just a really exciting time. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UK, I think, is better than I’ve ever seen it, and I’ve been working between the UK and the Middle East for a long time.

“People who don’t know what’s going on in Saudi Arabia think maybe it’s oil stuff. but it’s all about … a huge growth in the technology (sector). Things like clean tech, fintech, healthtech, huge interest in all of those things,” Gubbins said.

She also said that the council uses Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as a “blueprint” to direct them toward the areas to focus on with continual growth.

Gubbins highlighted that Saudi mega-project NEOM opening its first international office in London is not surprising considering that Britons are the second-largest group of expatriates working at NEOM.

During a November event at the British Embassy, Neil Crompton, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia, pointed out that the partnership between the two countries has expanded from traditional defense partnerships to include variable sectors such as tourism, people-to-people relations, and sports, especially since Vision 2030 was announced.

The tourism sector is an area of promising growth, with more British sports personalities, such as the cricketer Kevin Pietersen, visiting Saudi Arabia and many Saudis regularly traveling to London for holidays.

“I think the affection between the two countries is amazing,” Crompton said. “Since we introduced the visa waiver system in June 2022, over 500,000 Saudis have used it to go to London, in addition to the 100,000 who already had a 10-year visa or another passport.”

At the Great Futures Conference in May, the Saudi Tourism Authority and VisitBritain, the UK’s national tourism agency, signed a declaration of intent to develop and grow tourism.

VisitBritain has predicted there will be 240,000 visitors to the UK from Saudi Arabia this year, a 9 percent increase from 2019.

At the event, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that the Kingdom had welcomed more than 165,600 British tourists and issued 560,462 e-visas for British visitors since 2019.

The former UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport Lucy Frazer told Arab News: “We’ve always had a very strong relationship, but that relationship is getting closer as Saudi Arabia undergoes this huge societal and economic change.”

She added: “It’s so dynamic and it’s got so many ambitions for the future. And in the UK, we would like to be a strong partner in that. So we’re collaborating in a number of areas sharing knowledge, sharing expertise, sharing best practice.”

A heritage agreement between Historic England and the Saudi Ministry of Culture was also discussed to encourage joint training and sharing expertise in terms of the restoration of palaces and historic buildings.

 


Award launched to improve tourism standards in Arab countries

Award launched to improve tourism standards in Arab countries
Updated 08 December 2024
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Award launched to improve tourism standards in Arab countries

Award launched to improve tourism standards in Arab countries
  • Award will encourage healthy competition, says official
  • Part of efforts to develop sustainable tourism

RIYADH: A new award has been launched with the aim of improving the quality of tourist offerings in the Arab world.

A memorandum of cooperation launching the Tourism Quality Award was signed by Bandar Al-Fuhaid, president of the Arab Tourism Organization, and Talal Mandoura, CEO of the Quality Applications Co., according to a statement issued on Sunday.

The Arab Tourism Organization said that the award is part of its efforts to enhance the quality of tourism services and contribute to sustainable tourism development.

It will include a comprehensive evaluation of various aspects of the tourism sector, ranging from regulations and laws to the quality of services provided to tourists.

Judging focuses on eight main areas: the quality of regulations and laws, tourism services and products, tourism management, tourist destinations, transportation, accommodation and restaurants, tours and guides, as well as management and knowledge transfer.

“The company will develop training and qualification programs for individuals and institutions to enable them to apply tourism quality and excellence standards,” Mandoura told Arab News.

The award will require effective governance to ensure its transparency and credibility and to achieve its intended goals, he explained.

Khaled Al-Akwa, the award’s technical director, told Arab News that it will motivate tourism institutions to adopt global best practices and develop their products and services to meet the growing needs of tourists.

He explained how the award will create a healthy competitive environment among institutions and boost investment.

“The Tourism Quality Award is a crucial step to boost (the) Arab tourism sector. By applying the principles of good governance, this award can achieve its desired goals of elevating the level of tourism services and enhancing the position of Arab tourism globally,” Al-Akwa said.

 


Minister receives newly appointed Japanese envoy to Saudi Arabia

Minister receives newly appointed Japanese envoy to Saudi Arabia
Updated 08 December 2024
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Minister receives newly appointed Japanese envoy to Saudi Arabia

Minister receives newly appointed Japanese envoy to Saudi Arabia
  • They reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz received the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Morino Yusanari in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields.

Prince Turki also wished the Japanese ambassador success in his new duties.

 


Saudi Arabia says it is satisfied with steps taken to ensure safety of Syrian people

Syrians celebrate as they return to Damascus via Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing east of Beirut on December 8, 2024. (AFP)
Syrians celebrate as they return to Damascus via Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing east of Beirut on December 8, 2024. (AFP)
Updated 08 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia says it is satisfied with steps taken to ensure safety of Syrian people

Syrians celebrate as they return to Damascus via Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing east of Beirut on December 8, 2024. (AFP)
  • The ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s support for the Syrian people and their choices at this critical stage in Syria’s history

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has followed recent developments in Syria and is satisfied with the positive steps that have been taken to ensure the safety of the Syrian people, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

The Kingdom is also satisfied with steps taken to stop bloodshed in the country and preserve its institutions and capabilities, the ministry added in a statement. 

The ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s support for the Syrian people and their choices at this critical stage in Syria’s history, and called for concerted efforts to preserve the unity of the country and its people, in a way that protects Syria from slipping into chaos and division.

The ministry also affirmed the Kingdom’s support for everything that would achieve the security and stability of Syria in a way that preserves its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The Kingdom calls on the international community to stand by the Syrian people and cooperate with them in everything that serves Syria, and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.

It said supporting Syria at this stage is extremely important to help it overcome the woes that the Syrian people have suffered over the course of many years, during which foreign militias have ravaged Syria to impose foreign agendas on its people.

It is time for the Syrian people to enjoy the dignified life they deserve, and for all its elements to contribute to shaping a bright future of security, stability, and prosperity, the statement said.