by Giorgio Cafiero Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS)’s exchanges with the Chinese and Russian leaders at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina were rich in geopolitical context. Keen to exploit tension between Riyadh and Washington, officials in Beijing… Continue Reading
by James M. Dorsey As Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman tours friendly Arab nations in advance of the Group of 20 (G-20) industrialized nations summit in Argentina, Saudi diplomacy aims to achieve two goals: put the killing of journalist… Continue Reading
by Andrew Bacevich What does President Trump’s recent nomination of retired Army General John Abizaid to become the next U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia signify? Next to nothing — and arguably quite a lot. Abizaid’s proposed appointment is both a… Continue Reading
by Shireen T. Hunter The assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, apparently by order of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has opened a debate on the wisdom of the West’s treatment of Saudi Arabia. This is but the latest… Continue Reading
by Alireza Ahmadi Reflecting on the unpopularity of the U.S.-Saudi relationship after the September 11 attacks, scholar F. Gregory Gause III said that the relationship has never been based on public support but rather on “an elite bargain” that overcomes “vast political… Continue Reading