As Washington recalibrates and regional powers realign, Riyadh pushes a vision that could redefine Middle Eastern geopolitics.
The pageantry on the South Lawn this week—military bands, rows of American and Saudi flags, and the first White House visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) under the new Trump administration—masked a conversation far more consequential than another set of arms negotiations. For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org
Behind closed doors, President Donald Trump and the crown prince took a decisive step toward reshaping the regional balance of power, putting Riyadh at the center of a new Middle Eastern security architecture and testing political red lines that have defined US policy for decades. Their discussions spanned far-reaching defense arrangements, access to fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, civilian nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence partnerships, and the political conditions under which Saudi Arabia might one day normalize ties with Israel.
For Riyadh, the summit offered a chance to formalize its emerging doctrine of stability—one that elevates Saudi Arabia from a reactive regional actor to a central pillar in the Middle East order.
...“The scene in Washington today cannot be understood as scattered deals about weapons or civilian nuclear cooperation. What is happening is a serious attempt to reshape the balance of power in the Middle East,” he told The Media Line. He noted that Saudi Arabia stands at the center of this balance and is a country that seeks real peace, lasting stability, and development that benefits everyone, not just itself. (Read More)
