Four Points from the Meeting between Mohammed bin Salman and Trump

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's criticisms of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, both share a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. While it started off rocky with Biden, it has improved and reached one of its best phases. Riyadh's strategy is to maintain the historical relationship with Washington, whether it is a Republican or a Democrat in power. This was highlighted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. The relationship began with a Democrat (President Roosevelt) and flourished with a Republican (President Reagan). It is now at its best with a Republican president, and it is certain that the White House will eventually transition to a Democratic administration.

The first point to understand the relationship between Riyadh and Washington: do not look for changing red and blue colors. The strategic alliance has lasted for decades for economic and political reasons, not emotional ones.

The second point is that countries, of course, seek their interests from their relationships with one another. Trump, in discussing deals, directs his speech to the American domestic audience; more jobs mean more popularity. Saudi Arabia also benefits from this relationship. This is what the Crown Prince stated when he emphasized that we invest not to please President Trump or America, but to seek real opportunities, not illusory ones. It meets Saudi Arabia's economic needs for the future. This is the primary goal, and everything else is just political maneuvering and chatter.

The third point from the meeting is the Crown Prince's response regarding the goal of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden when he chose 15 Saudis to participate in the September 11, 2001 attacks, which was to destroy the relationship between Riyadh and Washington. This was the primary goal. Bin Laden knew that bringing down two towers would not lead to the collapse of America, but striking the relationship and igniting a war between the West and the Islamic world was his aim. It was a malicious plan to stoke the flames of religious hatred. This plan did not succeed thanks to the strong relationship between the two countries. They managed to overcome this stormy crisis. Al-Qaeda has weakened, bin Laden was killed, and the relationship between Washington and Riyadh is at its best. In short: the forces of good triumphed over the forces of evil. The dream of extremist groups, terrorist organizations, and sectarian militias is to weaken this alliance, and this is what they do through acts of violence, propaganda, and deliberate distortion. They know that weakening the Riyadh-Washington relationship will open the door for them to expand, exert dominance, and enhance their ideological influence.

The fourth point from the meeting is the discussion about the future. Investment in artificial intelligence and electronic chips is a civilizational competition to build the future. Let us remember that extreme nationalist and religious ideologies, the search for leadership, and brainwashing people with illusions were among the reasons for the deterioration of our region. Meanwhile, Asian countries, for example, took a different path and built their economies and developed their societies. Therefore, the discussion between the Saudi Crown Prince and Trump about investing in modern technologies is a discussion about shaping the future and legitimate economic and scientific competition.