Saudi Arabia ‘will remain strongest Mideast ally of US’, experts say at Dubai’s Arab Strategy Forum

Updated 13 December 2018
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Saudi Arabia ‘will remain strongest Mideast ally of US’, experts say at Dubai’s Arab Strategy Forum

  • Kingdom lies at the core of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, political and economic leaders told

Saudi Arabia will remain the strongest ally of the US in the Middle East and lies at the “heart and core” of President Trump’s foreign policy, some of the world’s leading politicians, economists and strategic analysts heard as they gathered to forecast the geopolitical state of the world in 2019.

At the 11th Arab Strategy Forum, an annual gathering to discuss worldwide political, economic, security and social scenarios and plan ways to help the region prepare for future challenges, speakers talked about a steadfast bond between the US and Saudi over the next 12 months. They said that Trump views the Kingdom as an unshakable ally with common regional interests including America’s fight against Iran, the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a turbulent and fluctuating oil market.

“The Trump administration has been fighting very hard to move beyond Jamal Khashoggi,” said Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, who joined Ambassador Dennis Ross, former assistant to President Obama and National Security Council senior director for the Central Region, and Bernardino Leon, director general of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, in a panel discussion titled the “State of the World Politics in 2019.” 

“They have made it very clear that they want to focus on other interests; the Israel-Palestine peace process, the question of Iran, the oil market … President Trump has made it very clear that Saudi Arabia really lies at the heart and the core of his foreign policy.”

He said that despite “tremendous pressures to take further steps” against the Kingdom, “the reality so far seems to be that the president will not listen to the critics.”




Dr. Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia. 

He said that although the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia has come under strain, “as long as Donald Trump remains in power the relationships will continue to stay.”

In the panel discussion, moderated by CNN’s Becky Anderson, Leon also addressed Saudi and US relations.

“There are two dimensions; one is internal US politics, the other is in terms of foreign policy. Foreign policy has to be determined by the government and will continue to be determined by the government — this is the rule. So if you see these relations, in historical terms Saudi Arabia has always been the main ally in the region for the United States. 

“This is a region where another traditional very strong ally, Turkey, is now in a different position and even though we are at a time where this region is probably experiencing more difficulties than ever before, the United States will continue to act on that basis. I do not expect big changes. I am sure we there will be waves and I am sure the US Congress will call for more transparency and more information after what happened after Khashoggi, probably this is going to happen. But there will be no structural changes.”

Ross said that US policy — which states that if the president vetoes a decision, Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds supermajority of both houses — means it would be “very difficult” for Congress to overturn any decision on sanctions against the Kingdom that Trump, who has been vocal in his continuing support and relations with Saudi Arabia. He added that “most of the pressure” from federal government would be more likely to be dominated by the ongoing Trump-Russia investigations.




Faisal Abbas, editor in chief of Arab News, left, in conversation with Dr. Ian Bremmer. 

After being addressed by Faisal Abbas, editor in chief of Arab News, who posed a question about US-Middle East relations and asked if the US would distance itself from the Arab world, Ross said that the US would continue to have a vested interest in Middle Eastern activities.

“Las Vegas rules do not apply to the Middle East, what takes place in the Middle East doesn’t stay in the Middle East. That is ultimately why we have to stay involved in it.” 

Abbas began the first panel discussion of the day, “Discussing Megatrends in 2019,” by questioning speaker Dr. Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia, about oil prices, Saudi Arabia’s international and regional relations and his predictions for the year ahead. 

Bremmer addressed the recent announcement by Qatar that it was withdrawing from the oil exporters’ group OPEC, saying the move would have little impact or fallout.

“Qatar in OPEC is a marginal player so I do not think their leaving is significant.”

Bremmer said that Qatar attended the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) annual summit in Riyadh this week and that Qataris and Saudis “directly engaged” was a move to be looked at in a “positive” way.

At the forum, attended by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Bremmer began his address by saying that 2019 should not see any real turbulent crisis, and highlighted the “good news” of “robust” predictions laid out by the International Monetary Fund that state the global economy will grow 3.7 percent this year. 

However, he said that 2020 is likely to witness another recession and warned — unlike the shows of unity after the 2008/09 financial crisis — of a fractious and “dysfunctional” geopolitical landscape that will mean the world will be unlikely to be able to bounce back easily.

“The good news is the 2019 economy will not be horrible. The bad news; the next economic downturn will be much worse. My worry is that whenever the next downturn comes we have a problem. The thing about the last major recession … which was a big one, is the response from all the world’s major economies. They all worked together in saying we have a problem, we need to get out of this together.

“Whenever the next downturn happens — which economists say is 2020 — when it comes the political reaction it is not going to be like 2008/9.”

Instead, the world is likely to witness a “blame-game” with countries pointing the finger at one another. Bremmer warned: “This is the most fraught geopolitical period in my lifetime … and the dysfunction is only going to grow.”

The geopolitical landscape has been heightened by a series of world events, including the “disastrous”  negations over Brexit, France’s “yellow vest” protests, the looming end to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s reign,  the state of US-China relations and the recent US sanctions on Iran.

Bremmer also raised concern over cybercrime and the shadow economy. He said that three of his biggest concerns from 2018 were North Korea-linked hackers stealing millions from ATMs across the world, Russian hackers using antivirus software to steal US cyber capabilities to attack Ukraine’s online network and the accounts of millions of Chinese web users being compromised in a series of hacks.

At the forum, speakers also discussed mega-trends and forecast the future of economics and government policies in the region.

The role of Iran as a leading state sponsor of terror and the impact of US sanctions was a factor among many of the key discussions. Ross said: “The interesting thing with Iran in 2019 is to see how they will tackle the internal pressure internally due to there economic decline,” while Bremmer said it was likely that Tehran would seek to wait out the Trump administration.

The growing role of China also dominated discussions. Leon said: “The US and China are two heavyweights that will keep their battle going on but it will not need to escalate much more, due to the nature of global economic markets,” while speakers highlighted the “winding down” of the war in Yemen as a positive trend in 2019.

In the “State of the Arab World Economy in 2019,” Dr. Nasser Saidi, former Lebanese minister of economy and trade, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, senior vice president of the World Bank Group, said that there was a general consensus that the economic recession would most likely start in 2019 and predicted an era of “turbulence” over the next 12 months, including a ripple effect across the GCC caused by oil price fluctuations. 

At the same panel discussion, H.E Nasser Judeh, former deputy prime minister of foreign affairs of Jordan, Dr. Ayad Allawi, former prime minister of Iraq and the leader of the National Accord, and H.E Nabil Fahmy, former foreign minister of Egypt, deliberated on the regional landscape over the next 12 months, with Allawi warning that the region is a “fertile ground” for terrorist groups should it not stabilize and not implement reforms that the Arab world is in “dire need of.” 

Fahmy addressed Qatar relations, saying that while a fragmented Arab world comes at the expense of every country, he was “not optimistic for radical change” in Qatar’s policies and said that the GCC could not back down to a country that refuses to “change its internal methodology.” 

“Qatar has to be a player — not an adversary.”

Ahead of the forum, Mohammed Al-Gergawi, minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, and chairman of the organizing committee, said the Arab Strategy Forum was launched as a platform for balanced analysis by decision-makers to offer a clearer understanding of the economic and political outlook for the Arab region and the world.


Prophet’s Mosque prepares prayer areas, courtyards to receive post-Hajj worshippers in Madinah

Updated 10 June 2025
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Prophet’s Mosque prepares prayer areas, courtyards to receive post-Hajj worshippers in Madinah

  • The entry and exit points of the Prophet’s Mosque were assessed to minimize congestion and overcrowding
  • General Authority said its goal is to allow worshippers to perform their rituals in a calm, orderly, and reverent atmosphere

Madinah: The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, located in the Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia, has improved and updated its crowd management in preparation to receive worshippers during the post-Hajj period.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which oversees the mosques in Makkah and Madinah, announced on Tuesday that the Prophet’s Mosque and its courtyards and praying areas had been prepared to offer a safe and organized environment for worshippers.

The entry and exit points of the mosque were assessed to minimize congestion and overcrowding, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Signs were placed to direct worshippers to the prayer areas and to prohibit sitting or praying in the mosque’s corridors and courtyards, ensuring smooth foot traffic.

The authority said its goal is to allow worshippers to perform their rituals in a calm, orderly, and reverent atmosphere, according to the SPA.

Over 1.4 million pilgrims concluded this week the Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage that able Muslims must undertake, and they visited various holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, including the Prophet’s Mosque.


Historic village and beaches throng with Eid holiday tourists

Updated 10 June 2025
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Historic village and beaches throng with Eid holiday tourists

  • Visitors enjoy heritage, hospitality, natural beauty

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission welcomed many visitors to Thee Ain Historical Village, located in the Al-Makhwah governorate of the Baha region, during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. 

Launched in partnership with the principality of the Baha region, the initiative featured a hospitality corner where visitors received gifts and detailed information about the area, with a focus on the historical village. 

The village is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the region, situated 2,000 meters above sea level, a Saudi Press Agency report said. 

It has a rich history spanning centuries, with stone structures topped by roofs made from juniper wood sourced from nearby forests. 

The balconies are decorated with quartz stones arranged in contiguous triangles. The village includes defensive fortresses built for protection and surveillance. 

Thee Ain benefits from an ideal agricultural environment, especially for cultivating pandanus and bananas, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. 

During Eid, Haql governorate also had a significant rise in visitors drawn to its scenic beaches, parks, and mild weather.

Families favor Haql’s natural beach pools and key tourist attractions, according to the SPA.

These pools offer a perfect setting for enjoying nature, fishing, and swimming. Nearby parks provide a peaceful retreat for visitors to relax amid natural beauty, the SPA added.

Umluj beaches also attracted many visitors and picnickers during the holiday. Coastal spots including Duqm Beach and the Southern Corniche had a notable influx of families and tourists seeking serene natural settings and sea views.

Umluj governorate, on the Red Sea coast in Tabuk region, is a major tourist destination known for its diverse landscapes — sea, mountains and plains — and mild summer weather.

The Umluj municipality prepared extensively for the influx by upgrading beaches and parks, enhancing facilities, and increasing cleaning and health inspections to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.


More than 94K individuals worked in organizing this year’s Hajj

Over 94,000 people participated in organizing this year’s Hajj season in Saudi Arabia. (@HajMinistry)
Updated 10 June 2025
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More than 94K individuals worked in organizing this year’s Hajj

  • People were involved in serving pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah
  • The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrims’ accommodation

RIYADH: Over 94,000 people participated in organizing the Hajj season in Saudi Arabia, where 1.4 million Muslims performed the pilgrimage in early June.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported on Tuesday that individuals served pilgrims in various fields and organizational locations in Makkah and Madinah as part of the ministry’s efforts in running the Hajj.

The ministry said its Compliance Center conducted over 70,000 field inspections during Hajj, examining pilgrim accommodation, camps, central kitchens, and operational facilities.

The Nusuk Care initiative offered over 845,000 direct services, including health, psychological, and language support, it added. Over 3,000 volunteers supported government efforts during the Hajj season, serving pilgrims at over 107 contact points and distributed across six tracks.

The ministry said these field indicators demonstrate the level of planning, precision, and investment in human resources and technology, which is aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


2 journeys, 1 destination: Hajj through the eyes of the young, elderly

Updated 10 June 2025
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2 journeys, 1 destination: Hajj through the eyes of the young, elderly

  • Generations decades apart walk same sacred path

MINA: Mina was alive in recent days with the footsteps of millions, yet every pilgrim’s pace told a different story, from those who waited decades for the moment to those capturing it in real time.

In the tent city of Mina, two pilgrims rested side by side: one catching his breath, the other capturing a selfie. One scrolled through prayer times on his smartphone; the other adjusted the strap of his orthopedic sandal. One leaned on a walking stick; the other scrolled through digital navigation. But both wore the same white ihram and followed the same steps.

This was the paradox of Hajj 2025, where generations decades apart walked the same sacred path in remarkably different ways. They shared no common language except the unspoken one of faith.

For 73-year-old Moinuddin from Pakistan, the pilgrimage was a long-awaited dream, one that had been etched over decades of supplication.

He said: “I have the desire and I ask help from God to give me courage and power to perform this Hajj for the Isaal-e-Sawaab (gifting of spiritual rewards) for my mother.”

He paused often, not just for rest, but to reflect — at Arafat, in Muzdalifah, and between the pillars of Jamarat.

Just a few rows behind him, Mustafa, 22, from Denmark, documented his Hajj in quick snaps and video clips. He brought a camera with him to capture the moments for his friends and family back home. He said: “Coming here as a young person, I am grateful. I see a lot of older people and it’s difficult; you have to work a lot.”

While Mustafa relied on digital navigation to track his group, Moinuddin leaned gently on a young companion’s shoulder. Both pilgrims endured the same sun, the same crowds, and the same powerful rituals, but the lens through which they experienced Hajj was shaped by their stage in life.

As the majority of pilgrims were elderly, many arrived with wheelchairs, walkers, or full family support. Their presence was treated with reverence — volunteers readily offered water, fans, and silent prayers as they passed.

In contrast, the younger generation brought a different rhythm — one of documentation, discovery, digital devotion, QR codes at checkpoints, real-time language translation apps, and virtual guides to make this year’s Hajj more accessible than ever.

But tech aside, the younger pilgrims still found themselves drawn into moments of stillness.

What binds both ends of the age spectrum was the raw, shared surrender to something greater. In a space where nationality, status, and language dissolve, so too does age. You could be 18 or 81 — you still bow to the same qibla.

At Mina, where pebbles were cast in symbolic defiance of ego, one young man gently steadied an old man’s arm before throwing his own stones. A quiet exchange, but one that said everything.

As pilgrims circled the Kaaba one final time before departure, the generational divide faded further. Some walked swiftly, others were pushed gently in wheelchairs, but all completed the same Tawaf Al-Wadaa (farewell tawaf).

The journey in the end was not measured in steps or speed, but in surrender. And that, in the valley of Makkah, was a language every pilgrim spoke fluently.


Exploring the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s sacred heritage

Beyond the holy cities, other sacred destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. (Supplied/File
Updated 09 June 2025
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Exploring the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia’s sacred heritage

  • In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light”

JEDDAH: As pilgrims complete the sacred rites of Hajj, many embark on a deeper spiritual journey by exploring historic Islamic sites across Saudi Arabia to connect with the roots of their faith.

In the holy city of Makkah, pilgrims visit Jabal Al-Nour, whose name means “Mountain of Light.” At its peak lies the Cave of Hira, where the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed through the Angel Jibreel.

The mountain’s distinctive camel-hump shape makes it a striking landmark, especially with the nearby Hira Cultural District, where the Revelation Gallery offers pilgrims to learn the story of divine revelation and history.

Beyond the holy cities, other sacred destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. (Supplied/File photo)

Ahmed Khan, a private tour guide said: “There’s something unexplainable about standing where it all began. When I take pilgrims to Jabal al-Nour, many of them are moved to tears it’s not just a climb, but it’s a spiritual awakening.”

To the south lies Jabal Thawr, the mountain that cradled the Prophet and his companion Abu Bakr as-Siddiq in its cave during their migration to Madinah. The story of divine protection, where a spider’s web and a dove’s nest concealed their presence from their pursuers, resonates deeply with pilgrims.

Another frequently visited site is Jabal Abu Qubays, believed in some traditions to be the first mountain placed on Earth. As the closest peak to the Grand Mosque, it resonates with the early public da’wah and the great spiritual responsibility.

FASTFACTS

• Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah, remains a must-visit site for pilgrims. 

• Programs like ‘Hala,’ launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating journeys for pilgrims to explore with knowledgeable guides. 

Nearby, the modest yet historically significant Al-Bay’ah Mosque marks the location of the Pledge of Aqabah, where the Ansar of Madinah pledged allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad.

Built during the Abbasid era, it symbolizes early Muslim unity and commitment to the new faith. A short distance away in Al-Hajun district is Jabal Al-Sayyidah, at the base of which lies the revered Al-Ma’la Cemetery, resting place of Khadijah, the Prophet’s beloved wife. Her grave remains a focal point of deep reverence.

“Pilgrims love visiting these places and it helps them to understand the sacrifices of the people who shaped Islam,” Khan added.

Madinah has its own timeless legacy. Al-Qiblatain Mosque, where revelation changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah and marked a defining shift in Muslim identity and remains a must-visit site for pilgrims.

Hussain Rauff, regional director of Madinah Hotels at Elaf Al-Taqwa, said: “We’re planning to organize guided tours across Madinah to help pilgrims explore the city’s rich Islamic heritage. It’s a meaningful way to extend their spiritual journey beyond the rituals of Hajj.”

Further west of the Prophet’s Mosque lies the cluster known as the Seven Mosques, each linked to events from the Battle of the Trench. Among them are Al-Fath Mosque and those named after figures such as Fatimah, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Salman Al-Farsi. These mosques are rich in historical memory and serve as reminders of hardship during one of Islam’s critical battles.

Mount Uhud rises just north of Madinah city, its slopes reminds of the Battle of Uhud and the place where the Prophet’s uncle, Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, and 70 companions were martyred. Today, pilgrims pause at the Uhud Martyrs Cemetery indicating the modesty found in victory and the strength drawn from loss.

Equally powerful is a visit to Baqi’ Al-Gharqad Cemetery, the resting place of many of the Prophet’s family members and companions. Located near the Prophet’s Mosque, the cemetery has long served as a site for prayer and remembrance, offering pilgrims a moment of intimate connection with those who stood beside the Prophet during Islam’s formative years.

Beyond the holy cities, other destinations continue to attract pilgrims in search of spiritual enrichment. Northwest of Madinah lies Khaybar, the site of a pivotal military campaign that showcases both the strategic and ethical dimensions of the Prophet’s leadership. Its volcanic terrain and ancient fortifications tell stories etched in stone.

Fatima Al-Mutairi, a pilgrim from Kuwait: “I am planning to visit these places in Jeddah and Taif after my Hajj. I am planning to visit the Tomb of Hawa in Jeddah and in Taif, I look forward to visiting Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, to pay tribute to one of the great scholars whose work in Qur’anic interpretation and Hadith continues to inspire many seekers of knowledge.”

Recognizing the growing desire for such experiences, programs like “Hala,” launched by Al-Bait Guests Co., are curating immersive journeys for pilgrims to explore these sacred sites with knowledgeable guides and spiritual context.

Mohammed Al-Shahrani, experience officer in Hajj and Umrah sector said: “Our aim is to enrich the post-Hajj experience. We want pilgrims to understand that the journey of faith continues, and Saudi Arabia is opening its heritage for those who wish to walk in the footsteps of the Prophet.”