Five years ago, Jeremy Hunt, who was then serving as the foreign secretary, expressed his shock and dismay over the brutal murder of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. Hunt vowed that the UK’s response would hinge on their confidence that such a horrific incident would not be repeated.
Surprisingly, the UK has now extended an invitation to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, despite the CIA’s belief that he approved the murder, despite his denials. This move comes as part of a larger effort to rehabilitate Salman’s image, which began when he received a fist bump from Joe Biden a year ago. It is worth noting that the UK, which has greatly benefitted from arms sales to Saudi Arabia, is now more eager than ever to strengthen trade and investment ties.
In order to improve its global standing, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in influence operations and brand management. The kingdom has even utilized social media platforms like Snapchat to enhance the future king’s image, as revealed by The Guardian. However, it is important to highlight that influencers who criticize the future king, including a Leeds PhD student named Salma al-Shehab, face draconian punishments. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in executions under Prince Mohammed’s leadership, further tarnishing the kingdom’s human rights record.
On the diplomatic front, Saudi Arabia is attempting to extricate itself from the ongoing war in Yemen, which has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. The kingdom has also sought to improve its strained relationship with Iran. Nevertheless, the key factor contributing to Saudi Arabia’s rehabilitation is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted global energy prices and international relations. As the West seeks to reduce cooperation with Russia, it recognizes Saudi Arabia’s inclination to align with China and reduce its reliance on the United States.
For years, Washington and London have viewed Saudi Arabia as a stabilizing force in the region. However, the crown prince acted recklessly by involving Saudi Arabia in the conflict in Yemen and leading the blockade of Qatar. He has also demonstrated strained relations with the United Arab Emirates, publicly accusing them of betrayal. This clash highlights competing geopolitical interests, economic rivalry, and personal ambition.
The United States has grown frustrated with Saudi Arabia, especially after their unsuccessful attempt to secure cheaper energy through their engagement with the crown prince. Furthermore, OPEC’s decision to reduce oil production, which was seen as the Saudis’ doing, caused prices to remain high leading up to the US midterm elections. This incident emphasized the shortsightedness of relying too heavily on Riyadh and its fossil fuels.
While some analysts suggest that Prince Mohammed may have learned from the international backlash following Khashoggi’s murder and is pursuing a more moderate approach, it is important to question the effectiveness of condemnation followed by swift reprieve. Does it truly bring about repentance or merely embolden those in power?
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