The recent meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office was a historic turning point in bilateral relations, marking a significant shift in ties across all political, economic, military and security fields. The meeting, seen as a big success, has been received with strong optimism in both countries, says a report published by the Washington Institute. The report notes that it is only logical that President Trump restores a mutually beneficial relationship with Saudi Arabia, following a deterioration in ties under the Obama administration. This is especially so, given the political, security, and economic interests shared by the two countries. By bringing the traditional relationship between the two countries back on track, President Trump has shown clear signs of recognizing the obvious. The Kingdom is the most important country in the Arab Middle East. This is partially due to its strong influence in the global economy as a major oil exporter. It is also due to the Kingdom's religious standing, given its custodianship of Islam's holy lands, thus making it the de facto leader of the Muslim world. With Trump now taking a more pragmatic approach, the United States is well positioned to benefit from renewed cooperation on the core issues it considers important. For example, the Kingdom is already showing greater willingness to assist in the creation of safe zones for Syrian refugees as well as to send its special forces to Syria. This is consistent with President Trump's agenda. The report adds that both sides saw the potential for greater economic cooperation, a key area that offers tremendous opportunity. The report further notes that Saudi Vision 2030 is the chief domestic preoccupation of the Saudi government. Vision 2030 is an ambitious strategy for economic reforms that aims to modernize the economy, decrease unemployment, and achieve a reasonable degree of diversification away from reliance on oil. A Saudi Arabia that succeeds in its reform agenda elevates the image of moderation and the prestige of US allies in the region. Therefore, diplomatic support for Vision 2030 is a critical long-term US interest. Given his business background, away from being a traditional politician, Trump can clearly understand what the Saudis are trying to do with their economic reform agenda, the report says. However, the report notes that Saudi Arabia and the Trump administration will not agree on everything. In conclusion, the report says Trump has sent a clear message to the region that his Middle East policy is based on restoration of alliances with America's traditional regional allies, as against the experimentation of the Bush and Obama years. "In other words, it is about dealing with the world the way it is and just trying to make the best of it. So far, it is off to a good start."
