All-government approach needed to confront security challenges

Saudi Arabia last week announced a major Cabinet reshuffle affecting a number of important portfolios. One important change was the appointment of Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, a senior Cabinet member, as national security adviser in addition to his current responsibilities.

The Council for Political and Security Affairs (CPSA), headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was set up in 2015 as the main body responsible for security policies. It includes in its membership all key ministers in charge of security and political portfolios. The CPSA was reconstituted in Thursday’s reshuffle, with most ministers keeping their membership of the council.

The National Security Council is a key institution, providing well-considered advice on a wide range of subjects related to security in the widest sense of the word. If we take the US as an example, its National Security Council was established in 1947 to deal with the challenges of a then-burgeoning Cold War and was mandated to coordinate the country’s policies on defense, foreign affairs, international economic relations, and intelligence. It has maintained that mandate until now. 

The first US national security adviser was appointed in 1953, when President Dwight Eisenhower chose Robert Cutler. He played a major role in shaping the council into a top policy-making body in the US government.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia faces multiple major challenges that directly affect its national security and need to be confronted based on solid, deliberative policies. An all-government approach is needed, coordinated by the National Security Council, to leverage the knowledge and expertise of all relevant government departments, together with outside non-governmental resources.

First, there is the challenge of external threats coming from Iran’s attempts to become the region’s hegemon. Oscillating US policies toward the region make it important for Saudi Arabia to develop its own defenses against those threats while coordinating with the US as its major strategic partner, as well as other allies and friends from the region and globally. 

Second, terrorism from Daesh and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is still a major threat. Despite setbacks, the two organizations are still alive and kicking, if not thriving. Similarly, Hezbollah and other sectarian-based terrorist groups pose an existential threat to Saudi Arabia and its allies.

Third, the war in Yemen represents another key challenge. A political solution needs to be aggressively pursued to safeguard Saudi interests, as well as those of the Yemeni people, and deny Iran and its proxies a foothold that could permanently destabilize the region. Recent initiatives to leverage Saudi relations with other Red Sea states are important to enhance regional security, including in Yemen.

Fourth, changing political landscapes in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq require new thinking about foreign policy tools that can be deployed to help restore peace and stability to these troubled lands. At a minimum, work is needed to keep these conflicts from spilling over into Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

Fifth is the economic challenge. The recently announced budget for 2019 is the largest in Saudi history, projected at $295 billion in government spending for the year. If the slump in oil prices continues, it may be difficult for the government to meet its objectives without massive borrowing or taxation. The other, unpalatable, choice would be to limit the ambitions represented by the vastly expansionary budget. Fresh thinking is needed to generate new sources of economic growth. One such avenue is through expanded trade and investment abroad. Stubborn unemployment of Saudi nationals, stable at around 13 percent for years, is a chronic economic challenge with far-reaching security implications.

The National Security Council should be able to study in depth all these challenges and provide wise counsel to deal with them. Saudi Arabia possesses many thoughtful young (and old) men and women who are capable of providing the research needed to develop the required policies. Tens of thousands of Saudis have earned high degrees from great universities around the world and represent a treasure trove of extraordinary talent and capacity for hard work, which is needed to deal with these challenges facing the country. The National Security Council could take the lead in unlocking those capabilities.

• Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation, and a columnist for Arab News. The views expressed in this piece are personal, and do not necessarily represent those of the GCC. Twitter: @abuhamad1