Daily Times

It is a well-known principle that a leader can make the future of a country, he can made a country great again, and if a leader is incompetent then the future of that state become bleak and progress become dormant.

In June 2017 Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS) became crown prince; he has the actual control on the formation and implementation of kingdom’s policies rather than his father king Salman. MBS attracted the attention of the whole world because of his liberal policies. He allowed women to drive, cinemas were opened after decades, first Saudi public concert by a female singer was held, sports stadium for women opened, women permitted to work freely, Neom city with full modern attributes started to be built at the bank of Red Sea. All these initiatives constructed positive image of MBS in the eye of the world. He began to be considered a savior of the rights of the kingdom’s citizens. He was like an oasis in the desert. But later his quest for power made him Machiavelli’s prince. From Yemen war which is a worst human crisis and has caused 13 million people to starve, to Khashoggi’s murder, MBS’s policies made him the butcher of the 21st century. The hope in the eyes of many turned into a tear. The economy is also in shambles. Thousands of foreigners have been forced to leave the country because of no salary and no fulfillment of contracts. According to director general of passports in Riyadh more than 811,000 expatriates have left Saudi Arabia on final exit visas over the past 18 months. MBS also detained his powerful cousins and appointed his own retinues on important posts. His foreign policy is also affecting KSA leadership in Muslim world. He is moving towards Israel for better relations which is an annoying move for whole the Muslim world. The decision of Qatar blockade affected the relationship of both countries and now Qatar has been dropped from the kingdom’s payroll. Qatar has announced to withdraw from OPEC and the reason behind is influence of Saudi Arabia on OPEC.

Hence the guardians of the holy places of the Muslims are annoying the whole of the Muslim world. The quest of MBS for power and policies both in-house and abroad has made Saudi Arabia a dormant, defamed and disparaged country

When we talk about MBS foreign policy it’s more alike containment policy towards Iran which USA adopted against Soviet Union during Cold War to restrict the expansion of communism and influence of Soviet Union on other countries. But when we turn the pages of history, we find that every card played by USA against Soviets turned into the Soviets’ favor. Iran went from Uncle Sam’s hands, Iraq and Syria and Egypt too had little influence of USA and the same was happening beyond the Middle East i.e. Vietnam. Hence, USA won the Cold War, but it was the result of internal collapse of Soviet Union rather than US strategies.

History is repeating here. Every policy by MBS to subjugate Iran is bringing bad name for the kingdom. It seems Saudi Arabia is losing at every front. In Yemen Tehran-supported Houthis have control over Sanaa and Riyadh is wasting billions of dollars to eliminate the Houthis’ control but in vain. MBS detained prime minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri to defame Hezbollah but this card also went in Iran’s favor. MBS forced Qatar to end diplomatic relation with Iran but it further strengthened the relation of Qatar with Iran and Turkey. Iraq is also Iran’s ally. After withdrawal of USA Iran has become the savior of Assad, thus both are now strong allies and there is nothing for KSA.

Recent tweet of president of USA who is a business tycoon and running the country like a corporation rather than making it a world leader said Saudi Arabia has to contribute for the reconstruction of Syria USA will not, it may make the relations of the both allies strained.

MBS diplomatic relations with Israel are also putting the Palestinian cause on the backfoot.

Hence the guardians of the holy places of the Muslims are annoying the whole of the Muslim world. The quest of MBS for power and policies both in-house and abroad has made Saudi Arabia a dormant, defamed and disparaged country.

MBS must revise his policies to make his rule more firm, stable and long -lasting. Few things are constant in international politics and that is geography. For a county which has good relations with neighboring countries, peace, prosperity and progress come its way. The war in Yemen must be ended; table-talk is the only solution. Saudi Arabia must give up all Iran-centric policies. The fundamental rights must be given to citizens of the kingdom.  Formation of policies must be institutionalized rather than unstable, unpredictable personal attitudes and ambition of a single person. Long term perspectives, rational mindset, due diligence and honest common sense are what is required for policies to develop credibility and momentum. If not then another wave of Arab Spring may emerge on Arabian Peninsula and rebellions like Rahaf Muhammad would increase at such a level which would be unable to control.

The writer is a student of LLB 4th year Punjab University, Lahore

Published in Daily Times, February 11^th 2019.