Saudi Arabia as Protector of the Islamic Faith - Research Paper Example

 Table of contents 1. Introduction………………….2 2. Body US-Saudi relationship…………2 Problem………………………..2,3,4 Solution …………………………4 Iran- Saudi Arabia relations.........4 Problem………………………….4,5 Solution………………………….5 Syria-Saudi Arabia relationship…..5 Problem…………………………..5,6 Solution…………………………….6 Saudi Arabia-Yemen relationship…..6 Problem……………………………6,7 Solution…………………………….7 Israel-Saudi Arabia relations……….8 Problem…………………………….8 Solution…………………………….8,9 Jordan-Saudi Arabia relations………9 3. Conclusion………………………….9,10 4. Works cited page…………………….11 : Saudi Arabia Introduction Saudi Arabia is the second largest country in the Arab-world. The country, officially referred to as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a principal entity in the Arab world with the largest land area in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula plays a critical geopolitical role in Asia because of the large oil and natural gas reserves. Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq border the country in the north while Yemen and Oman borders Saudi Arabia in the south. On the other hand, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain border the country to the East. In addition, the nation has a Persian Gulf Coast and a Red Sea Coast. The country was established by Abdulaziz bin Saud in 1932. This has formed the monarchial history of the country and the Islamic influence that defines its socio-political structure. The presence of the Islam’s principal mosques in Mecca and Medina stamps the importance of the religion in the country. It is crucial to highlight that the country possesses the world’s second greatest oil reserves and large amounts of natural gas reserves. This positions the country as a high economy and a powerful country in world politics. These factors, both in terms of geography and economy, define Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy and its relationship with the rest of the world. US-Saudi Arabia relationship The US and Saudi Arabia has had a long relationship with each other spanning over 70 years. In 1932, the new Saudi kingdom was a very poor country. The discovery of vast resources of oil in 1938 instigated an unrelenting relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia. In traditional circumstances, full-scale exploration and exploitation of oil is an expensive process that requires huge investments in capital. This explains why US was a prospective partner in the relationship. In 1941, the Saudi government and the US formed Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company). This company would be in charge of the Saudi’s enormous oil resources. Oil exploitation initiated an age of prosperity, flourishing architecture, improvement in the quality of life, and increased power in international politics. This also entailed transformation of culture manifested in the emergence of elements such as newspaper and radio. The influx of foreigners, however, triggered xenophobia in the country. After the death of the senior Saud, Prince Faisal gained power and took control of 20% of Aramco, in 1972 (Mabon 98). This feat helped decrease US influence over Saudi oil. In 1976, the kingdom became the world’s largest oil producer. King Khalid revived the age of economic and social transformation at a rapid rate thereby improving the infrastructural and educational standards of the country. In terms of foreign policy, the ties between the US and Saudi Arabia strengthened. In 1980, however, Saudi Arabia gained complete control of Aramco from the US. This feat terminated the major economic relationship between the two countries. Later, in 1990, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait marked a key point in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US as the country supported the US in her intervention against the Iraqis. The Arab world contemporarily views this intimacy as pro-Western. This casts Saudi Arabia as less committed to the Arabian cause (Lippman 1). Saudi Arabia’s key involvement in the Persian Gulf War by allowing the strategic stationing of US’ forces ignited external and internal strife. The hostile Islamist response spurred radicalism and further growth of Islamism in the country. Saudi Arabia’s intimate relationship with the US started becoming a concern to students of Sharia law and Ulema in the 1990’s. This was suspected to spur Islamist terrorist attacks in the US. In turn, tension grew between the two countries as most of September 11 attackers were Saudi nationals. Besides, suspicions arose out of the fact Saudi Arabia constrained the investigation on September 11’ attacks. Saudi Arabia has maintained a stance on non-support to terrorist groups amidst fears, in the US, that the country creates a thriving group for terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. Currently, the country is torn between following either a supposed Arab cause or maintaining a robust relationship with the US. In response, Saudi Arabia, in notable circumstances, has shown detachment from the US. For instance, it neither supported nor participated in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. US stance in the Arab Spring has elicited suspicion in the Saudi Arabian government. The US has shown public efforts at democratization of countries such as Egypt. In the Saudi Arabia monarchial regime, this is a worrying phenomenon as the wave may affect the monarchy’s tight hold on governance. Solution Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia may rely on the fundamental nature of her relationship with the US. This pertains to US reliance on Saudi Arabia for her inexhaustible source of energy and large capacity in her arms’ market. Developing a robust relationship with the Western powers may be helpful in strengthening her hold in the Arabian Peninsula. This manifests in her liberal policies of maintaining modest oil prices. Iran- Saudi Arabia relations Iran-Saudi Arabia relations is essential in understanding the development of both countries. These countries have experienced a mixed relationship with underlying tension peeping in their liaisons. In as much as both of the countries profess an aspiration for Islamic leadership, they possess differing opinions over the Arabian league order. Following the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran built a robust Islam culture. The Islamic revolution in Iran entailed hatred towards the US government deeming the US as a supporter for the dictatorial regime that plundered the nation’s wealth. Iran, therefore, viewed Saudi Arabia as leaning towards the US in the Persian Gulf War. This perception has persisted as Iran holds Saudi Arabia as an advocate of the West’s interests rather than the Arab league’s interest (Mabon 98). On the other hand, Saudi Arabia is wary of Iran’s plan on building a nuclear plant. Besides, Saudi Arabia has concerns over Iran’s growing influence in the Persian Gulf region. Iran’s ideologies on the economics of oil and political governance are essential in ensuring long-term survival of Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic structure. This is because reforms in Iran may invite upheavals in Saudi Arabia as people draw lessons for change. The Arab countries have a complex relationship in the sense that they tend to operate towards a unified direction. This manifests in the events such as the Arab Spring that initiated political revolutions in countries such as Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and Syria (Sager 1). Unlike Saudi Arabia, Iran has limited capacity for monarchial regimes. Besides, while Saudi Arabia prefers a moderate policy on prices, Iran supports high oil prices. Besides, Saudi Arabia is wary of the developing relationship between the US and Iran. An Iranian relationship with the US may weaken Saudi Arabia’s influence over the Gulf States, as countries such as UAE and Kuwait would welcome Iran’s power. This would accord an advantage to the Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Syria-Saudi Arabia relationship Although Saudi Arabia and Syria had been enjoying a warm relationship, the 2011 Arab Spring changed the course of events. Saudi Arabia has concerns over the gulf region’s stability. More essentially, the government is committed towards humanitarian suffering in Syria. Saudi Arabia is concerned that as long Bashar Assad is in power, the civilian onslaught will continue. This necessitates the use of military pressure, which may further enhance instability in the region. Saudi Arabia has to contemplate over a military action in Syria because such a move would instill further instability in the region. Countries such as Iran are highly likely to offer support to the Syrian government cause thereby creating a large war in the region. The Syrian government is already aware of the Saudi Arabia’s leaning towards Syria’s opposition and rebel fighters. The Saudi Arabia’s government has a moral commitment towards the stability of other countries in the Middle East because of its enormous power and economic might in the region. Solution Saudi Arabia has maintained an assertive role in Syria. She has realized that exerting a military action would enhance further stability. In this sense, it has developed a strategy of helping Syria liberate itself. This is possible through funding of the rebel groups and logistical support of Assad’s opposition. Saudi Arabia-Yemen relationship Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Yemen was evident in 2011, when she allowed the Yemeni president to seek treatment in the country. According to Saudi Arabia, Ali Abdullah Saleh’s continued rule is a liability to the Arabian peninsula’s stability rather than a protector of the same. Ali Abdullah Saleh’s resigned in 2012 when he faced protests emanating from the Arab Spring and experienced perceived angst at his tight hold on power. Yemen has numerous, fractious, and militarized political actors than any other country in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia faces a difficulty in maintaining stability in Yemen because of notable reasons. This is because Yemen’s fractious politics may invite factions and collaboration against the Saudi Arabia’s government. This is coupled with sectarianism that characterizes the landscape. Besides, instilling order in the country requires finding a suitable alternative to Saleh. Saudi Arabia is wary of supporting the Yemen’s liberal opposition parties because they might allow for the emergence of a political order that is accountable, representative, and democratic (Sager 1). This would build a template of democracy and governance that threatens the survival of the Saudi Arabia’s monarchial and dictatorial regime. Solution It is essential to note that Saudi Arabia has always strove to keep Yemen’s core government weak. This is possible through creating divisions among the Yemen’s political actors. A strong and a united Yemen is a threat to Saudi Arabia’s control over Middle East. This is because Yemen is a more populous country with militarized, tribal, and impoverished communities. Saudi Arabia, therefore, maintain its influence in Yemen by forming relationships with both the political actors in the central government and the tribal sheiks who provide a counterweight to the environment. Yemen also utilizes economic control over the Yemen. Saudi Arabia uses its vast wealth in manipulating the Yemen government. For instance, Saudi Arabia expelled almost a million Yemeni immigrant workers when Yemen sided with Iraq in Iraq’s invasion against Kuwait. In addition, it cut aid to the country. It is crucial to underscore the fact that Saudi Arabia was a major player in the migration that plummeted during the 1970’s oil boom. On the other hand, the Yemen government has a weak economy that barely supports the burgeoning population. In other circumstances, Saudi Arabia has funded the socialists in the Southern Yemen. This move, however, is antagonistic to Saudi Arabia’s core political philosophy since it promotes the existence of infidels in a country. Israel-Saudi Arabia relations Israel and Saudi Arabia share a similarity in their complex religious nature. In this view, the socio-economic lives of individuals are tied to the predominant religion in the landscape. Saudi Arabia employs Wahhabism to spur its Islamic cause while Israel faces a strong influence from Zionism (Hussein 76). Israel, however, has a large capacity towards other religious entities while Saudi Arabia subtly imposes Islamic principles on the citizens. Saudi Arabia, as a charter member of the Arab league, has always shown conspicuous support towards Palestinian’s entitlement of sovereignty. Over some time, Saudi Arabia has altered her viewpoint over the possibility in negotiating with Israel. Saudi Arabia, in this sense, calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Palestinian’s land. This highlights the Palestine-Israel conflict as a conflict between the Arabs and the Israelites. In the past, Saudi Arabia has maintained a strong stance that made it break ties with Egypt, when Egypt signed peace with Israel. It is crucial to underscore the fact that Saudi Arabia has limited diplomatic relations with Israel. It has maintained an economic boycott against Israel by refusing to engage in trade of any kind between the two countries. In the Camp David Accords, Israel argued that moving Palestinians to Israel would never accord a comprehensive political solution for Palestine. Currently, a dilemma exists in the fact that both Israel and Saudi Arabia are allies to the US. An abrasive deal between the two countries would compromise on their shared relationship with the US. Besides, both Israel and Saudi Arabia are worried over the US’s growing intimacy with Iran. Solution Saudi Arabia has a large moral responsibility towards the Arab league countries. This explains why Saudi Arabia owns the Palestinians’ cause. In this position, the country perceives itself as the ultimate savior of the Palestine. In spite of the closeness of US with Israel and Iran, Saudi Arabia is highly likely to attach itself to the Arab league countries. Occupying this position means, that Israel is a long-term enemy of the Arabian countries. This is because Saudi Arabia views the Palestinian cause as a religious devotion. Saudis can only approach this issue through pragmatism because the Israelites are highly likely to stay in continuous suspicion over Arabs’ behavior. In this perspective, Saudi Arabia can enhance their relationship with Iran rather than side with Israel. This casts the US as an ambivalent and a neutral partner in the whole interaction. Saudi Arabia can also rely on Israel’s perception of the country as a guarantor towards stability in Middle East. Israel faces constant threat from the Arabian Peninsula’s countries. A possible Israel-Saudi Arabia relationship, therefore, would save Israel from the hostility in the Arabian Peninsula. Jordan-Saudi Arabia relations There are mild strains in Jordan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. In the past, Saudi Arabia experienced a strained relationship with Jordan because of the Persian Gulf War. In 1996, the two countries mended their relationship. They have since designed a unified cause that defines eventual Arab situation’s welfare and international development. Saudi Arabia exercises fears over other Middle East countries’ union towards destroying its dominance. In the meantime, the country enjoys an economic might that enables her manipulate other countries towards division. The other small countries include Oman and Qatar. Qatar, however, is mildly militarized thereby it poses limited threat to Saudi Arabia’s stability. Conclusion It is essential to highlight that Saudi Arabia has an economic might that makes the country a central player in the Arab league and the world’s politics. In addition, the country perceives herself as a protector of the Islamic faith. Saudi Arabia ensures that Arab league countries maintain a strong Islamic faith in their socio-political structure. The country derives much satisfaction from the role. In addition, it faces numerous responsibilities from the role. Saudi Arabia is wary of other countries, in the Arabian Peninsula, gaining control over the region. Iran’s growing influence is a major issue in the Saudi Arabia’s control over the Arab league countries. Furthermore, Iran has manifested a growing relationship with the US. Similarly, the country has worries over Yemen’s stability since such a feat poses threat to the Saudi Arabia’s influence over the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia lives in perpetual fears over chaos in the country. This influences her foreign policy choices over considerable issues. The country, especially, has fears over the Arab Spring. The Arab Spring has occurred in notable countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Syria. This induces indifference in the way Saudi Arabia approaches the stability of the Arab league countries. The country has a conservative religious and political structure that ensures the survival of the Saudi monarchy. On the other hand, it seeks to influence changes in the Assad regime, which ironically faces the pressure from Arab spring. Besides, Saudi Arabia faces a dilemma in its relationship with the US. This, especially, concerns the country’s stance over terrorist activities. Works cited Hussein, Abdulrhman. So history doesn't forget. New York, NY: AuthorHouse, 2012. Print. Lippman, Thomas. Saudi Arabia on the edge. the uncertain future of an American ally. Council on foreign relations. January 2012. Web. April 18, 2014. Mabon, Simon. Saudi Arabia and Iran: soft power rivalry in the Middle East. London: I.B. Tauris, 2013. Print. Sager, Abdulaziz. Challenging times for Saudi foreign policy. Arab News. 23 January 2014. Web. April 18, 2014. Read More