Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic efforts in hosting U.S.-Russian talks illustrate its ambition to become a global diplomatic leader. Key to its strategy is the understanding that normalization with Israel requires a comprehensive two-state solution addressing Palestinian rights. The Kingdom’s economic vision, linked to regional stability, emphasizes justice and mutual benefit, essential for meaningful progress in the region.

In a significant diplomatic event at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton, Russian and American officials engaged in crucial discussions concerning a possible ceasefire in Ukraine and shipping safety in the Black Sea. This notable meeting, orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, illustrates the Kingdom’s ambition to elevate its status from a regional player to a key global diplomatic actor.

Central to this strategic shift is the realization of a new American foreign policy direction, as outlined in a candid interview with Steve Witkoff. He emphasized that America’s power dynamics are changing, requiring nations like Saudi Arabia to adapt to a more transactional diplomacy, predicated on mutual interests rather than moral imperatives.

The current administration appears to grasp a critical lesson overlooked by its predecessors: Saudi Arabia’s normalization with Israel hinges on addressing Palestinian rights. Witkoff acknowledges that peace in Gaza is a prerequisite for normalization; however, this simplifies the broader requirement for a comprehensive two-state solution that Saudi Arabia champions.

To achieve successful normalization, it is imperative for U.S. and Israeli leaders to acknowledge and endorse a viable two-state solution, supported by tangible guarantees for Israel’s compliance. Without such foundational commitments, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic engagement remains unattainable.

Witkoff’s evaluation of the Gulf region’s economic potential highlights that regional stability could unlock unprecedented growth, surpassing even Europe’s market size. As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 initiative, collaboration on tech and economic integration is crucial, although it necessitates stability rooted in justice.

An insightful perspective introduced by Witkoff is the economic implications of security arrangements, which highlight that robust security frameworks can lower financing costs, fostering investments and expediting development. Saudi Arabia must leverage this understanding to advocate for justice-oriented security frameworks in the region.

A generational shift in leadership across the Gulf indicates a hunger for economic cooperation over ideological persistence, all while maintaining commitments to justice. Saudi policymakers must heed three key points: the necessity of genuine peace for Israeli normalization, the substantial economic advantages of stability built on justice, and the urgency for American influence towards a two-state solution.

Saudi Arabia showcases its evolving role as a mediator in global conflicts, underscoring its increasing diplomatic clout. The Kingdom stands at a pivotal point in reshaping the Middle East into a center of innovation, contingent on its ability to advocate for Palestinian rights and pursue a sustainable, justice-oriented peace process.

Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic engagement signifies its strategic evolution into a global mediator. The Kingdom’s approach emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive two-state solution as a prerequisite for normalization with Israel while fostering regional stability to stimulate economic growth. This pragmatic, transactional diplomacy could pave the way for a transformed Middle East, contingent upon justice and mutual benefit. Ultimately, the success of these ventures hinges upon ensuring Palestinian rights are firmly acknowledged and protected.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com

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