My experience of working as editor in chief of Arab News was both rich and unique. The newspaper reaches a large audience in the region and internationally, and exerts an important influence on the media landscape.

Saudi Arabia is presently making intensive international diplomatic and economic efforts. It is seeking strategic partnerships and beneficial relations that have a positive influence on its citizens as well as the region.

Mr. Obama, welcome to Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia that you have visited more than any other American president. I must say, Saudis are proud of their historic relations with the United States. The Kingdom has always valued principled alliances.

The announcement that a bridge will be built between Saudi Arabia and Egypt named after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman is not only a powerful indicator of the growing ties between the two nations but certainly also a symbol of a new road being forged to achieve much-needed Arab uni

Whatever plans Iran has for the region is in disarray because it now finds itself increasingly isolated, including seeing the unexpected development of Arab nations, taking the lead from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, forming a united front against its actions.

When it comes to the region’s problems, Iran is always in the conversation with its questionable political affiliations and ambitions. There are the inevitable questions about what exactly its leaders want, and whether they truly believe their current policies will benefit their people.

Today we are celebrating the 39th anniversary of Arab News, the first English-language newspaper in Saudi Arabia that was published in the early stages of the oil and economic boom.