Saudi Arabia’s Neutral Stance in the US Presidential Race and Its Impact on Regional Relations

Saudi Arabia maintains a neutral approach in the upcoming US presidential election, enjoying strong relations with both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Political commentator Ali Shihabi emphasizes the Kingdom’s strategic importance in addressing regional issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting improvements in relations with Democrats. He anticipates that the US will continue to play a significant role in mediation efforts, regardless of who wins the election. The evolving dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for Saudi-US relations.

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia exhibits a neutral stance regarding the forthcoming United States presidential election, maintaining amicable relations with both leading candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. This assertion was made by Saudi political commentator Ali Shihabi during a segment of the Arab News program “Frankly Speaking”, emphasizing the Kingdom’s strategy to leverage its interactions with Washington to address critical regional matters, notably the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Shihabi articulated that the Kingdom enjoys robust connections with both political parties, stating, “I think the Kingdom is in a very advantageous position of having excellent ties with both parties.” He elaborated that, historically, Saudi Arabia has tended to align more closely with the Republican Party; however, the current political climate reflects a marked improvement in ties with Democrats in recent years. “Things have gone very well with the Democrats — not well early on, as everybody knows,” he acknowledged, referring to tensions during President Joe Biden’s earlier campaign rhetoric. Nevertheless, he underscored that geopolitical shifts, particularly the ramifications of the ongoing Ukraine-Russian conflict, have recalibrated the Biden administration’s approach toward Saudi Arabia, recognizing its strategic importance in stabilizing the region. Shihabi anticipates that regardless of the election outcome, Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States will advance further, positing that should a new Democratic administration assume power, it will likely continue the policies established during the Biden-Harris tenure. He noted, “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.” In addition, he emphasized Saudi Arabia’s role in advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlighted the necessity of American involvement in facilitating such an outcome, stating, “America is an essential component and American pressure is an essential component.” The commentary also touched upon the evolving dynamics of US-Saudi relations in light of recent developments, particularly the attack by Hamas and subsequent Israeli actions in Gaza, which have altered the prospects for normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Shihabi expressed skepticism regarding immediate normalization, stating, “It’s probably completely off the table for the time being, unless there’s a dramatic shift in the attitude of the Israeli government.” Shihabi, a noted author and commentator on Saudi politics and economics, concludes that the next administration—whether led by Trump or Harris—will likely revisit normalization talks owing to Saudi Arabia’s continued strategic significance. However, he cautioned that success will heavily depend on America’s willingness to exert pressure on Israel for substantial concessions. Shihabi remarked, “The problem is, sometimes it’s Israel that has muscle in America and not the other way around.” Moreover, he observed a surprising trend among Arab-American voters who now show an inclination towards supporting Trump over Harris, attributable to their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of Israel. Shihabi’s insights reflect a sentiment of cautious optimism surrounding the evolving nature of US-Saudi relations and the persistent complexities tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the United States approaches a pivotal election season.

The article discusses the stance of Saudi Arabia regarding the upcoming United States presidential election, highlighting how the Kingdom maintains a balanced relationship with both leading candidates. This neutrality is framed within the context of Saudi Arabia’s strategic interests in the region, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Political commentator Ali Shihabi articulates this perspective, providing insights into the historical and current dynamics between Saudi Arabia and both the Republican and Democratic parties. The complexities of international relations, particularly how geopolitical events influence diplomatic ties, are central to understanding the Kingdom’s position.

In summary, Saudi Arabia’s political landscape reflects a state of advantageous neutrality in the context of the upcoming US presidential election. Ali Shihabi’s analysis underscores the Kingdom’s strategic importance, emphasizing that regardless of the election outcome, Saudi Arabia will continue to play a pivotal role in regional politics and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The nuanced relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia indicates both challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly in terms of securing favorable outcomes for long-standing conflicts in the region.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com