Gradually distancing from the United States, Saudi Arabia accelerates its strategic autonomy and autonomy | Saudi Arabia | United States

Xinhua News Agency, Riyadh, June 9th. Saudi Arabia speeds up the pace of strategic autonomy with the United States

Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Guan Duan Minfu

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia on the 8th. In the past month, the United States has been "enthusiastic" about Saudi Arabia. First, Sullivan, the assistant to the President for national security affairs, visited Saudi Arabia in early May, and then Antony Blinken. The United States attempted to bring closer relations with Saudi Arabia through high-ranking official visits, but their trip to Saudi Arabia yielded few results, and the US's plan to repair US Saudi relations failed to materialize.

Analysts point out that whether it is a cold attitude towards the United States or seeking reconciliation and strengthening unity with other countries in the region, Saudi Arabia's recent series of diplomatic actions have demonstrated its determination and confidence to accelerate its strategic autonomy.

Gradually distancing from the United States

During this visit, Antony Blinken reiterated that the United States and Saudi Arabia will continue to develop cooperation in the security and military fields. Despite the efforts of the United States to highlight cooperation and consensus, it is difficult to conceal the reality that the United States and Saudi Arabia are increasingly unable to resonate on the same frequency.

Before and after Antony Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia took a series of actions in the field of energy and diplomacy that made the United States unhappy. On the 4th, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non OPEC oil producing countries announced new production reduction measures. On the same day, the Saudi Ministry of Energy announced that the daily crude oil production in July will be reduced by an additional 1 million barrels; On the 6th, the Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia held a reopening ceremony; On the 7th, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad had a phone call with Russian President Putin to discuss issues such as crude oil supply and economic and trade cooperation.

On June 6th, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Bideri and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Yusuf attended the reopening ceremony of the Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Haizhou

Analysts point out that the US's focus on stabilizing oil prices and other issues is no longer in Saudi Arabia's national interest, or is no longer a priority for Saudi Arabia.

Gregory Gauss, a professor of international affairs at Texas A&M University in the United States, said that during the Cold War, the United States' major strategic initiatives could gain significant support from Saudi Arabia. "After the end of the Cold War, Saudi Arabia had little choice. But now, the era of extreme American dominance is basically over, and the Saudis understand that they have other options.".

Liao Jing, an expert on Middle East issues at the Center for Middle East Studies at Fudan University, pointed out that Saudi Arabia is committed to shaping an image of an Arab country with political and economic influence, no longer overly relying on the support of Western countries such as the United States, and making achieving diversified economic development the primary goal, continuously accelerating the pace of "looking east".

Boosting the Middle East's "peace and tide resolution"

In recent times, the Middle East has been experiencing strong tensions, and the diplomatic autonomy of various countries in the region has been continuously increasing. Saudi Arabia, as an important country in the region and a leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council and OPEC, has actively played a role in this process and demonstrated a constantly increasing sense of diplomatic autonomy.

In March, representatives of Saudi Arabia and Iran held a dialogue in Beijing, signed and issued a tripartite joint statement with China, announcing that Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations. In May, at the 32nd Arab League Summit held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Syrian President Bashar attended and delivered his speech for the first time since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011. The photo of Mohammad and Bashar shaking hands has become a classic image of the Arab world returning to unity, further highlighting Saudi Arabia's image as the main force in the Middle East's "peace and reconciliation" movement.

On May 19th, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad shook hands with Syrian President Bashar at a welcome ceremony before the summit. Shen Jizhong

Li Shijun, a postdoctoral fellow at Shanghai Foreign Studies University and assistant researcher at the China Arab Reform and Development Research Center, pointed out that the world order led by the West is undergoing changes after the Cold War. Saudi Arabia is more aware of the importance of pragmatic foreign and security policies, and decision-making in various fields is becoming more autonomous, seeking to achieve its national vision of becoming a regional and even world power.

In the view of Saudi political analyst Ahmad Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia's strengthening of strategic autonomy has created a favorable external environment for achieving its 2030 vision of economic transformation and development. The success of these policies has brought a demonstration effect to neighboring countries that are also facing challenges such as economic transformation.

Analysts point out that for a long time, the Middle East has been one of the regions most heavily affected by foreign intervention, and many countries have long been embroiled in war and turmoil. With the joint efforts of countries in Saudi Arabia and other regions, the Middle East is experiencing a wave of reconciliation. Many countries are actively seeking new positioning and goals, prioritizing the economy and people's livelihoods.

As Iranian Foreign Minister Abdulrahijan said, "The recent political developments indicate that the region has entered a new era of cooperation. We believe that regional countries and peoples can achieve development, stability, and security through cooperation.".