https://arab.news/66zux
I happened to be traveling through several Saudi cities during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the US last week. Citizens were watching closely to see what would happen, what the results would be and how all this would reflect on the Saudi domestic scene and on security in the Middle East. The last point was particularly pertinent given the wars the region has witnessed since Oct. 7, 2023, which have posed real challenges to the Kingdom and its ambitious development plans. Stability is a key factor in achieving economic growth and, in this sense, the domestic and foreign files overlap and intertwine.
The warm reception accorded to the crown prince and the announced economic, defense and technological agreements constituted a source of pride for Saudis, who aspire to see the positive results of these agreements, their impact on income levels, the opening of new job opportunities and the achievement of major economic growth. Yet, at the same time, they also hope that the Saudi-US partnership will be utilized as a tool for managing and resolving the crises in the Middle East, not merely securing bilateral interests that could be exposed to enormous risks if problems remain unresolved.
