Saudi Arabia’s Political Position Ahead of the U.S. Presidential Election: Insights from Ali Shihabi
Ali Shihabi, a Saudi political commentator, stated that Saudi Arabia has maintained positive relations with both U.S. presidential candidates, emphasizing the Kingdom’s focus on addressing regional issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He noted recent improvements in ties with Democrats and the potential for continued collaborative efforts, while also highlighting the significance of U.S. involvement in facilitating peace in the Middle East. Shihabi’s insights reflect a shift in the political landscape and the growing influence of Arab-American voters in the electoral process.
In a recent discussion, Saudi political commentator Ali Shihabi articulated that Saudi Arabia maintains an impartial stance regarding the upcoming U.S. presidential election, expressing confidence that strong relations would persist with either candidate—Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris. Shihabi emphasized that the Kingdom’s primary focus is leveraging its relationship with the United States to tackle pressing regional issues, notably the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During the program “Frankly Speaking,” Shihabi stated, “I think the Kingdom is in a very advantageous position of having excellent ties with both parties.” This advantageous positioning marks a significant shift from past tendencies, as Saudi relations with the Democratic Party have notably improved in recent years, particularly following the Ukraine-Russian conflict, which highlighted the strategic significance of Saudi Arabia. Shihabi asserted, “Now, really, the relationship is as good as it could be at a deep institutional level,” which he believes will likely continue regardless of the election outcome. He acknowledged that while historically the Kingdom has shown a preference for Republican candidates, the current political environment favors the Kingdom well with both parties. Key discourse surrounds Saudi Arabia’s quest for U.S. support in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Shihabi outlined the Kingdom’s commitment to pursuing a two-state solution through a global coalition initiated in September. He emphasized, “America is an essential component and American pressure is an essential component,” underscoring the need for the U.S. to exert influence over Israel for meaningful progress. The backdrop of recent developments, such as the Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza, complicates the landscape for potential normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel: “It’s probably completely off the table for the time being, unless there’s a dramatic shift in the attitude of the Israeli government,” noted Shihabi. Nevertheless, he conveyed optimism regarding enhanced security ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, even absent a formal pact. Looking forward, Shihabi anticipates that irrespective of the winner, the new U.S. administration will revisit normalization discussions with Israel, given the strategic importance of the Kingdom in the Middle East. He cautioned that much will depend on the next U.S. administration’s readiness to require concessions from Israel: “The problem is, sometimes it’s Israel that has muscle in America and not the other way around.” Despite the usual alignment of Arab-American voters with the Democratic Party, recent polls indicate a slight preference towards Trump, prompting discussion concerning voter expectations. Shihabi interprets this as a reflection of discontent with the current administration’s approach, indicating a potential shift in political engagement among Arab Americans, particularly regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
This article discusses Saudi Arabia’s political dynamics amid the 2024 U.S. presidential election, particularly in relation to its historical affiliations with American political parties. The significance of U.S. influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is underscored, alongside the evolving perceptions of Arab-American voters toward both presidential candidates. It further elaborates on the implications of recent geopolitical events, such as the Hamas attack and growing security ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
In summary, Saudi Arabia finds itself in a strategically advantageous position with both U.S. political parties ahead of the election. The Kingdom’s commitment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict underscores the essential role of U.S. intervention, while its historically improved relations with the Democrats indicate a shift in diplomatic dynamics. The upcoming election may significantly affect U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, fostering closer ties with Saudi Arabia regardless of which candidate emerges victorious.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
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