I agree with the views expressed by Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi in his article “Is Saudi Arabia heading East?” (Feb. 12). The writer has analyzed the situation very well. It is so true that under the changed circumstances, it is imperative that Saudi Arabia changes its approach toward the United States. Many people perceive this change negatively, but this is not the case. In global politics, there is no free lunch. Nations forge alliances on the basis of their national interests and there is nothing wrong in that. People often blame the United States for ditching its allies. We should get rid of this approach. This is not how things work in the international arena. The writer has correctly said that Saudi Arabia seeks to build strategic relations, not only short-term political deals. This sentence says it all. If we understand the meanings of this sentence, we will stop blaming the United States.

The Kingdom is moving in the right direction and it has adopted a pragmatic approach. This is the way nations realign themselves to the changing sociopolitical scenarios. Saudi Arabia should continue moving in this direction and forge strategic alliances with other global players and maintain its cordial ties with the United States. One has to see the US-Iran rapprochement as only a short-term political deal. The result of thaw in West-Iran ties may affect the balance of power in the region and Iran’s role in the region is very much evident from the current situation in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. We cannot describe it as constructive. In such a situation, the Kingdom’s decision to move eastward is politically correct.

One has to admire the writer’s realistic approach when he mentions the hike in shale production. It is true. The early one accepts the truth; the better it is. Despite Russian role in the Syrian crisis, Saudi Arabia should also try to improve its ties with Moscow. This way the Kingdom will gain considerable leverage in Moscow and this move could prove to be a game changer. Russia has vested interests in Iran. The Kingdom has more to offer. In short, the Arab world needs such analysts who have the ability to see through the dark.

Shahid Ahmed

Jeddah