News Analysis |
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has responded to the U.S President Donald Trump’s statement that Saudi Arabia would not last two weeks if it was not for the U.S support. “Saudi Arabia was there before the United States of America. It’s there since 1744, I believe more than 30 years before the United States of America.
And I believe, and I’m sorry if anyone misunderstands that, but I believe President Obama, in his eight years, he worked against many of our agenda – not in Saudi Arabia, but also in the Middle East. And even though the US worked against our agenda we were able to protect our interests.
The United States of America has threatened to sanction any country which is found to be trading with Iran after November 4.
And the end result is that we succeeded, and the United States of America under the leadership of President Obama failed, for example in Egypt.” Prince has given a subtle, calculated and apt reply to President Trump, giving him a bit of history lesson.
President Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Mississippi where he lambasted the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for ripping off the world over the years with the high prices of oil they produce.
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He particularly talked about Saudi Arabia that they should increase the supply of oil to make up for the global demand, bringing down the prices a notch. In doing so, he went on to make a blunt assertion saying, “I love the king, King Salman, but I said, ‘King, we’re protecting you. You have to pay for your military, you have to pay.”
Global oil prices are on the rise once again which was on the decline for the past 4 years. World’s supply is already on the strain with the U.S threat against Iran looming closer. The United States of America has threatened to sanction any country which is found to be trading with Iran after November 4.
The analysis of statements from Donald Trump and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman shows the stark contrast of being a statesman and an outsider to the circle of Power.
The spike in the oil prices is especially hurting for countries with growing economies such as India. In this context, OPEC has the power to control the prices of crude oil and in times like these, it leads to roofing profits.
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, instead of going all ablaze- the demeanor which he is known for at least for the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia, has brushed away President’s Trump’s statement saying that at times friends say bad things but he still loves working with Donald Trump.
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On the other hand, he has categorically stated that Saudi Arabia will not increase the supply of oil unilaterally to flood the market and keep the prices down, precisely what Donald Trump wanted. U.S President’s statement led to the offer from Iran asking Saudi Arabia to join hands with the country to teach the United States a necessary lesson.
Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter: “President Trump repeatedly humiliates the Saudis by saying they can’t last two weeks without his support.” This is the recompense for the delusion that one’s security can be outsourced. The Iranian Foreign Minister used the jibe to try to persuade Saudis to form a coalition with Tehran and build a “strong” Middle East.
The issue is likely to die under the burden of exponentially growing developments every day and will not be pursued further by either side.
It is important to mention here that Saudi Arabia along with other Gulf countries always lambasted the soft approach of Obama administration toward Iran and when Donald Trump decided to walk out of JCPOA, the pronouncement was hailed by the Gulf States.
Donald Trump’s very first visit as President to Saudi Arabia which saw multi-billion dollars arms purchase deals being signed was based on the understanding that the U.S would take a stern course of actions against Iran.
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Prince Mohammed Bin Salman statements depict a pattern that Saudi Arabia does acknowledge the need for U.S cooperation hence Iran’s offer would only be interpreted as the desperate attempt to draw some leverage before November 4.
The analysis of statements from Donald Trump and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman shows the stark contrast of being a statesman and an outsider to the circle of Power. While the merits of what Trump said might not be entirely false but these facts are always confined to the level of understanding and not spoken out loud.
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The dependency is also no unilateral at all. The intensity could be debatable but Saudi Arabia still stands to be the largest buyer of U.S economy which is one of the leading factors to get the economy going. The issue is likely to die under the burden of exponentially growing developments every day and will not be pursued further by either side.