By HASSAN BARARI, ARABNEWS

Over the last six decades, regional security and stability have dominated the Saudi foreign policy. Indeed, the centrality of these themes in Saudi thinking has pushed the regime to establish close strategic partnerships with various countries to create a regional environment conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity. This proactive approach has been the hallmark of Saudi foreign policy since the end of World War II.

For Saudi Arabia to realize these objectives, it needs statecraft. Anthony H. Cordesman, who holds the Arleigh A. Burke chair in Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and acts as a national security analyst for ABC News, makes the case that the environment in which Saudi Arabia operates is not stable. Every now and then regional conflict erupts. For this reason, the stability of the region is under constant threat. This is where leadership is needed and the Saudis have been fortunate in having leaders who manage to navigate through the volatile region successfully.

Yet, chances are high that the most recent regional changes will affect the strategic environment in the Middle East and the Gulf. Unlike Saudi Arabia which favors the status quo, Iran is a revisionist state. Tehran’s relentless quest for influence in the Gulf cannot be more striking. Two episodes that took place recently shed light on Tehran’s subversive policies. First, the American authorities thwarted an attempt on the life of the Saudi Ambassador in Washington Adel Al-Jubeir, an attempt, if successful, would have aggravated the already cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Although Iran rejected this claim, it fingerprints on this plot were obvious. Second, the Bahraini authorities arrested a terrorist group backed by Iran to carry out attacks on Saudi targets including the causeway that links Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

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NOTE BY THE EDITOR: This is dangerous thinking! The ‘attempt on the Saudi Ambassador in USA’ is far from proven. It could be another of those ‘planted episodes’ to prepare the public for another war. May Allah be our protector and guide at all times!