The visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to Washington DC was in the beginning perceived as a very normal and typical event. Nothing much was expected as an outcome of the visit. After all, there have been enough write-ups and analysis on the relationship between the two countries and how it was no longer “the same” after the signing of the nuclear agreement with Iran.
The visit simply restated the strategic importance of the relationship between both countries regardless of the type of policies of the administration that is in power or of the party which is in charge.
However, there have been many important achievements of this visit on the political, economic and military fronts. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an anchor ally to the United States in the region.
The American private sector delivered in full force an important message of confidence in the Saudi economy, Saudi leadership and Saudi stability. There has been massive capital committed for investment by leading blue chip companies such as General Electric, Cisco and JP Morgan.
Saudi Arabia in return is revamping its laws to make them more user friendly and welcoming to the investor. The Kingdom is also expanding economic relations with the US further into the health, banking and mining sectors.
This visit truly will be an important turning point in the relationship between the two countries. It is the foundation of a “new relationship” fit for the 21st century with all of its challenges.