An emerging regional power must be in a position to assert its interests, but in the case of an emerging regional hegemon, this principle is even more applicable. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not obliged to be passive or indifferent to those with an ostentatiously hostile initiative directed at it. The situation in Egypt, Yemen, Iraq and Syria and the emergence of hostile entities throughout the region require the attention of a regional hegemon. A famous German theoretician on war once said: "War is policy achieved by different aims and at their highest summit they are one and the same." Although the use of operational military forces to achieve political aims are decisions that must be taken seriously, one must use them when the opportunity is suitable. At the moment the best and brightest of the Arabian Gulf along with Egypt and other coalition forces are the very example of the maxim stated earlier. The ultimate question becomes: So what is one to do now? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has clearly shown that its prerogative to assert its interests and to protect its citizens from security threats both within and outside the Kingdom will not be forfeit. And rightly so. It is the responsibility of any sovereign government to protect the life and welfare of its citizenry. This is an absolute must and non-negotiable. The brave citizens of Najran have had to endure the threat of war, and it is our duty to respond appropriately and without recourse to anyone. The war in Yemen is not over. As long as the sons of the Kingdom and its noble coalition partners are on the ground, our hearts must remember the sacrifice that has been made and see to it that the accomplishments of this campaign are not lost. Long and hard work remains, especially on the political front. In Egypt, President Al-Sisi has laid the foundation for potentially being his country's most influential head of state since Nasser. His patriotic efforts to stabilize Cairo deserve our respect and congratulations. Egypt and Yemen are both part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's core interests and cannot be allowed to fail. As the emerging leader of the Arabian Gulf and beyond, it is going to be these two linchpins, stable and secure due to appropriate intervention, that will allow Riyadh to stare boldly across the border into the firestorm that rages across the lands of the Tigris and Euphrates. And it will be there that the next chapter of the rise of the Kingdom will be written. Faisal Al-Shammeri Political Analyst - World Affairs
