Question:
US President Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia on 20/04/2016, marking his fourth visit since taking office in 2009. He held his first session with King Salman bin Abdulaziz prior to the US-Gulf Summit, which took place the following day in Riyadh. This visit was surrounded by a great deal of media hype, suggesting he would address the region's problems and their solutions. Indeed, these issues—such as Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine—were mentioned in the final communique. All of this occurs while Obama is in his final year, when his ability to solve problems is weak, often described by them as a lame duck! How then should the objectives of this visit be understood? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The objectives of the visit were not to solve the region's problems. America had already established its proposed solutions before Obama's visit: it set them for Syria and confirmed them since the establishment of the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee; it set them for Yemen and confirmed them since the "Decisive Storm" operation, which brought the Houthis to the forefront to compete for a share in governance after they had been isolated in Saada and its surroundings; it set them for Palestine by recognizing the Jewish state; and similarly for Iraq and Libya. America’s projects were set before Obama became a lame duck! Mentioning these issues in the final communique was merely to fill space.
These were not the primary intended goals of the visit. Rather, a careful examination of what took place during the visit, the accompanying statements, and the final communique—after looking past the preamble, the filler, and the unintended issues mentioned just to fill the void—reveals that the visit's objectives were to achieve American interests, consolidate its influence in the region, and organize the affairs of its agents. These matters are never abandoned by American presidents, whether their legs are healthy or "lame," especially when they find agents who pave the way for them under their lame feet! These objectives can be summarized in two main goals:
Ensuring American control over the Gulf region and preventing the consolidation of other influences, particularly British influence. Anyone who ponders the final communique published by Al-Riyadh newspaper on 22/04/2016 will find it speaking volumes to this. We will address and comment on some relevant parts of this communique. The communique stated: (... "The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States of America held their meeting yesterday in Riyadh to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the two sides, aimed at achieving stability, security, and prosperity for the region. The leaders reviewed the tangible progress made since the first summit held at Camp David in May 2015...") The statement added: "The GCC states also pledged to conduct an in-depth study of United States offers for cooperation in maritime security and to move quickly toward an agreement on the steps necessary to implement an integrated ballistic missile early warning defense system..." It is as if America is using this as a pretext to install a missile shield in the region, funded by the Gulf, to tighten its control over the area and prevent its liberation from its grip. The statement further added: "The United States policy of using all elements of power to ensure its core interests in the Gulf region and to deter and confront any external aggression against its allies and partners, as it did in the Gulf War, is beyond doubt." This is a humiliating submission and subservience by the Gulf states to America. According to the text, these states authorize America to use force to secure its interests and extend its influence, which constitutes a threat to themselves if they stray from American obedience. The statement gave the Gulf War—meaning the occupation of Iraq—as an example! The statement added: "The GCC leaders, in turn, express their commitment to completing the study of United States offers in the field of military cooperation and training aimed at enhancing the ability of the Gulf states to play a greater role in confronting regional challenges." This means the Gulf states are meeting American demands without opposition. This was confirmed by the statement: "The leaders listened to a report on the joint meeting of the defense ministers of the Council countries and the United States, which stressed the importance of military exercises between the GCC and the United States. The leaders announced that the Council countries and the United States will immediately begin planning for a joint military exercise in March 2017 to demonstrate the joint military capabilities of both sides... The Council countries also supported expanding the scope of cooperation with the United States in the field of space security (cybersecurity) and adopting electronic encryption standards developed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the G20 countries... The leaders also directed that all joint working groups meet at least twice a year to accelerate the pace of partnership in combating terrorism and facilitating the transfer of sensitive defense capabilities, ballistic missile defense, military readiness, and electronic security (cyber)." It is clear from all this how much hegemony this statement has provided for America in the Gulf. The statement did not stop there but concluded by ensuring its implementation: ("To ensure the continuity of these activities and the urgent implementation of the decisions contained in the joint statement of Camp David dated May 14, 2015, its annex, and this statement, the leaders directed the relevant agencies on both sides to strengthen the frameworks of partnership between them, including the 'US-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum'." Riyadh, 22/04/2016). Therefore, Obama declared his victory in his press conference following the summit, saying: "The summit reaffirmed the United States policy of using the elements of our power to secure our core interests in the Gulf region and to deter and confront any external aggression against our allies and partners." (Reuters, 21/04/2016).
Balancing Saudi Arabia's role with that of Iran. This ensures Iran is in the East of the Gulf and Saudi Arabia in the West, and then they share roles in other countries of the region in a "sporting competition," without regard for the traditional British influence in the Gulf or its agents. Instead, King Salman of Saudi Arabia is tasked with curbing the interference of British agents in the Gulf—especially Qatar—against American plans, giving Salman special importance in this matter. This was evident when Obama met with Salman before the US-Gulf Summit, indicating a special relationship between America and Salman of Saudi Arabia, and that Salman has a specific role in American plans; otherwise, the American President would have participated directly in the summit like others without a private meeting beforehand. Hence, White House spokesperson Ben Rhodes said, "A two-hour meeting with King Salman on Wednesday, 20/04/2016, was the longest meeting between the two leaders..." (Reuters, 21/04/2016). This special role is not affected by King Salman not personally receiving Obama at the airport; this was a message to Congress and particularly to the Republicans who, for electoral purposes, raised Saudi Arabia's responsibility for American deaths caused by Al-Qaeda, considering that Al-Qaeda was founded with the money of Saudi citizens and thus demanding compensation, and they presented a draft resolution to Congress. Out of electoral grandstanding, some Democratic representatives joined them. Despite the US administration's pressure not to pass the bill, a show of Saudi anger was necessary to thwart the attempts of Congress, especially the Republicans who wanted to show themselves as caring for the families of the deceased to gain electoral favor. Thus, the Saudi move to show anger was a message directed at Congress to stop the liability and compensation bill; they even threatened to withdraw Saudi billions from their banks. Withdrawing billions has an impactful effect on capitalists. Huffington Post Arabic reported: "...According to administration officials and congressional aides from both parties, the Obama administration lobbied Congress to prevent the passage of the bill. Officials warned senators of the diplomatic and economic repercussions that could result from the enactment of this law, according to a report published by the New York Times. During a visit to Washington last month, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told some lawmakers that Saudi Arabia would be forced to sell up to $750 billion in US Treasury bonds held by Saudi Arabia, in addition to other assets in the United States..." (Huffington Post Arabic: 18/04/2016).
Therefore, the formal Saudi anger and the threat to withdraw billions is a message to Congress, not to Obama. In fact, it is not unlikely that the display of formal anger—by the lack of a personal reception—as well as Jubeir's statement about withdrawing billions, was done with some level of agreement with Obama to thwart the Republicans' goal. This is because the threat of withdrawing billions is a powerful influencing factor that slows their momentum in their project. Otherwise, if the anger were real, Obama would not have been granted a private meeting before the summit; he would have attended the summit like everyone else without a prior private meeting. Furthermore, how could Jubeir, who was raised and nurtured in the arms of America, threaten to withdraw billions from US Treasury bonds?! The Obama administration undoubtedly realizes this; CNN Arabic reported on 20/04/2016: (At the same time, an American official said that "King Salman's absence from the reception upon arrival was not seen as an insult," noting that the US President rarely receives foreign leaders at the airport upon their arrival in the United States... For his part, Bruce Riedel, an expert at the Brookings Institution and a former CIA official, said that "Despite all the differences, Saudi Arabia and America will not separate"...) Therefore, the relationship is strong between America and King Salman.
As for the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran, America wants to resolve this issue and restore relations between the two parties, because America is very keen on making the region accept the Iranian role that serves American interests. Obama had previously recommended, in an interview with the American magazine The Atlantic on 10/03/2016, that Saudi Arabia and Iran coexist peacefully in the region: (US President Barack Obama said that "Saudi Arabia and Iran need to learn how to share the neighborhood and institute some sort of cold peace..." Obama added in an interview with The Atlantic magazine that "The competition between the Saudis and the Iranians—which has helped fuel proxy wars and chaos in Syria and Iraq and Yemen—requires us to say to our friends as well as to the Iranians that they need to find an effective way to share the neighborhood.") (Source: BBC, Reuters 10/03/2016). It is as if Obama is the one responsible for both countries, organizing their affairs and advising them on how to behave in the region! It seems that Obama's recommendation has been implemented, as stated in the summit's final communique: "The United States and the GCC countries reaffirmed their support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, noting that the implementation of the plan so far has prevented Iran from seeking to possess nuclear weapons, which enhances security and stability in the region... The GCC countries stressed their readiness to build trust and resolve long-standing disputes with Iran, provided that Iran adheres to the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for territorial integrity in accordance with international law..." (Riyadh, 22/04/2016).
In conclusion, it is truly painful that America extends its arms across the ocean to control our land and sea, and our sources of power and wealth. However, America finds nothing before it but insignificant rulers (Ruwaibidah) who seek to preserve their seats and wealth and the sustainability of their families' rule. They submit to it and fulfill its demands; they fear it and do not fear Allah. Thus, it is able to pass its objectives through them in the Muslim lands! But this situation will not continue, by the will of Allah. Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise, has promised us, and His Messenger (saw) has given us the glad tidings of the return of the Rightly Guided Khilafah (Caliphate), whereby Islam and the Muslims will be honored, and the colonialist disbelievers will be humiliated.
وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ
"And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned." (Surah Ash-Shu'ara [26]: 227)
20th of Rajab 1437 AH 27/04/2016 CE