The New Diplomacy
China, Iran & Saudi Arabia join hands, who is Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud? Saudi Arabia's energetic diplomacy in Russia, Ukraine, Syria. Saudi Arabia also calls on Cambodia.
UPDATE: China’s diplomatic triumph in brokering a renewal of relations between West Asia’s two largest powers has important ramifications for peace and security both regionally and globally. In West Asia and North Africa the door has been opened to the easing of tensions in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Yemen, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and other localities. In Central Asia, the rapprochement provides momentum for Ukraine and Russia, within China’s 12-point plan, to participate in multilateral arrangements and intense rounds of bilateral talks such as those already undertaken by both China and Saudi Arabia. Iran has long-suffered from US belligerence and is beginning to emerge as a dynamic trading nation. Together, Saudi Arabia and Iran have the potential to ignite a wave of economic development across the wider region, which will also benefit Africa, the entire Eurasian super continent, including Europe, and boost global growth.
The process of mediating the rapprochement was a long and arduous one. The United States has attempted, at every turn, to derail the process in pursuit of its geopolitical divide and rule strategy, which is a major root cause for almost all conflict in the world today. Moreover, the economic suppression of Iran and other countries has also depressed the world economy and that of the United States.
The German Chancellor has spoken of a global turning point and China’s president Xi Jinping has also said the world is at a major inflection point. The United States has spoken only of conflict and threats, continues to build more military bases, subvert governments, provide weapons to warring factions, illegally occupy territory, seize sovereign assets, attempt to dominate world energy markets, exercise technological apartheid, disrupt the WTO, fail to ratify treaties it claims to adhere to and withdraw from others it disagrees with, generate mass media propaganda and disinformation campaigns, and make false accusations and allegations about human rights and political interference and other matters that it does not respect - do as I say, not do as I do.
China has clearly emerged as the global mediator for peace and development. The aspirations for peace and development are shared and promoted, in many different ways, by the entire Global South. In pursuit of its hegemonic aims the United States has undermined European centrality and solidarity, weakened the EUs economic and industrial base and set it on a war path. In ASEAN, in Africa, Central America and South America the United States is attempting to achieve the same result.
China’s emergence as a peace mediator bodes well for global security and is encapsulated it in its Global Security Initiative. The Global Development Initiative promotes greater and more equal distribution of wealth and resources. The belt and Road Initiative provides concrete infrastructure and finance to enable economic development. The 12 point Peace Plan provides a framework for peace in Ukraine.
Increasingly the United States is being recognised in the Global South and Europe for what it is, a belligerent and selfish power dedicated to keeping military and economic predominance at any cost. The cost of Ukrainian lives, Syrian lives, Nicaraguan lives and so many more is naught but the pursuit of a rules based order that enshrines US hegemony. For US allies in NATO, AUKUS and Five Eyes the costs of poor economic performance, withering industrial bases, lower standards of living and social upheavals can all be placed squarely at the feet of Uncle Sam.
The Editor
China, Saudi Arabia and Iran join hands
In a historic diplomatic triumph, China has mediated a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and agreed to hold talks between foreign ministers to arrange for the exchange of ambassadors and explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
The agreement includes the three countries affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states. They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.
Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and National Security Advisor, led the Saudi delegation, and Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, led the Iranian delegation during talks in Beijing from March 6 to 10, according to a trilateral statement from China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Saudi Arabia and Iran held the talks to solve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic means, to abide by the purposes and principles of the Charters of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and to follow international regulations and practices, according to the joint statement.
Both Saudi Arabia and Iran extended their appreciation and thanks to Iraq and Oman for hosting multiple rounds of dialogue between 2021 and 2022, and to Chinese leaders and the Chinese government for hosting, supporting and contributing to the success of the talks, the statement said.
While congratulating the two sides on taking a historical step forward, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China supports the two sides in making firm strides as agreed in the deal to work for the common bright future with patience and wisdom.
"As a reliable friend of the two countries, China will continue to play a constructive role […] the improvement of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran has opened a path leading to regional peace and stability in the Middle East, and has set an example of settling divergences and differences among countries via dialogue and consultation.”
Al-Aiban and Shamkhani expressed their willingness to continue constructive dialogues, fully implement their consensus, and enhance good neighbourliness to jointly safeguard regional security. The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.
Meanwhile, the White House downplayed Beijing’s role saying that while the US is keeping an eye on its greatest geopolitical rival, “this is not about China.”
“…[I]n the end, if this deal can be sustained, regardless of what the impetus was or who sat down at the table … we welcome that,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters today, adding that “any effort to deescalate tensions there in the region” is “in our interest.”
Read more here.
Download full text of joint statement here.
Who is Saudi Arabia’s new foreign minister Faisal Al Saud?
A royal decree was issued by King Salman on October 23, 2019 naming Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud as the new Saudi Foreign Minister. Born in Germany on 1 November 1974, Prince Faisal grew up in Saudi Arabia, where he studied business administration at King Saud University in Riyadh.
Between the years 1996-1998, he served as Deputy CEO of Saudi Co for Operations and Maintenance and in 2000-2013, as CEO for Al Salam for Aerospace Industry. He also co-founded Al Shamal Company for Contracting in 2004, again, serving as its CEO.
After a successful career as a business entrepreneur, he shifted into politics and government work in early 2017, became adviser to then-deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Later that October, joined the Saudi Company for Defense Industries, becoming a Member of the Board.
From the Crown Prince’s Office, Prince Faisal became adviser to the Saudi Foreign Ministry in Riyadh, during a critical period in the war against Al Houthis in Yemen. And during the years 2018-2019, he was senior adviser to the Saudi Embassy in Washington DC, working with Ambassador Khaled Bin Salman Al Saud.
Prince Faisal used his impeccable command of English and impressive following on social media networks to promote Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, and at a 2017 event at the Washington-based Arab Gulf States Institute, he was described as a “Twitter Star.”
In February 2019, he was appointed Saudi Ambassador to Germany, from where he tweeted—in German—that his new posting was dear to his heart, given that he was born in Germany.
Read more here.
Zelenskyy meets with Saudi Foreign Minister
Welcoming the representative of the Saudi government to Kyiv, the Head of State noted that it was the first official visit of the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"We appreciate this visit and consider it as an important evidence of support for Ukraine, especially on the anniversary of the beginning of full-scale aggression. As far as I know, this is the first visit in more than 30 years of our independence. I hope that it will give a new impetus to further intensification of our mutually beneficial dialogue," the President emphasized.
Saudi Arabia has announced $400 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine in the first visit by an official Saudi delegation to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1993. According to Ukrainian presidential office head Andriy Yermak, Saudi Arabia will provide Ukraine with $100 million in humanitarian aid and $300 million in oil products. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the government of Saudi Arabia for its tangible support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing armed aggression: "First of all, I want to thank you for supporting peace in Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is very important for us and our people, our society."
The Head of State invited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take part in the relevant diplomatic process, in particular, to join the implementation of certain points of the formula. The parties paid special attention to the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The parties emphasised the importance of Saudi Arabia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular within the UN. During the press briefing, Al Saud added that Saudi Arabia could play more of a role as a third party mediator for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia.
Saudi Arabia pledges to mediate in Russia-Ukraine war during Moscow visit
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday that Riyadh was ready to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said the kingdom supports international efforts to find a political solution to the crisis. The visit comes less than two weeks after his visit to Ukraine, and as Riyadh makes a bid to mediate the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.
“I affirmed to His Excellency the Russian Foreign Minister the kingdom's readiness to exert all efforts to mediate between the parties,” Prince Faisal said after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Prince Faisal’s visit to Moscow comes two weeks after a trip to Kyiv where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held a press conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Mr Lavrov said Saudi Arabia and other countries had played a pivotal role in arranging prisoner exchanges with Ukraine.
In September, Russia released 10 prisoners of war captured in Ukraine after diplomatic mediation efforts by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“We are in dialogue with all partners, including Washington, on international issues and Saudi Arabia facilitated the exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine,” Prince Faisal said on Thursday.
The talks are Sergey Lavrov’s fifth with Al Saud since the latter became Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister. The two top diplomats have met twice on the sidelines of multilateral events - at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Indonesia in 2022 and in India earlier this month. Prince Faisal and Lavrov also discussed bilateral trade, oil market stability, and a possible return of Syria's Bashar Al-Assad to the Arab League.
Read more more here, here and here and watch video here.
Saudi Arabia: Talks underway on Syria's return to Arab League
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan said talks are underway for Syria's return to the Arab League. Syria's membership in the Cairo-based Arab League was suspended in 2011 following a deadly crackdown by the regime of Bashar Al-Assad on pro-democracy protests.
In 2021, steps began to normalise relations between the Syrian regime and a number of Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain whose officials met with Al-Assad earlier this year.
"There is a consensus in the Arab world that the situation in Syria is not acceptable […] There is a dialogue on the return of Syria to the Arab League, but I think it's too early to discuss," (Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, Al Arabiya TV).
The Saudi minister's comments came weeks after last month's devastating earthquakes that killed tens of thousands in both Syria and Turkiye. According to UN figures, around 6,000 were killed and 12,000 others injured in the quakes in Syria.
Read more here.
New Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Cambodia vows to foster cooperation between both countries
The newly appointed Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Cambodia, Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, has pledged to do his utmost to further deepen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations in all domains.The new diplomat made the pledge while presenting his credentials to Say Chhum, Acting Head of State of Cambodia, at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh this morning.
Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy also vowed to push for the establishment of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cambodia this year. For his part, Samdech Say Chhum noted with satisfaction the growing relationship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples.
On behalf of His Majesty the King, the Cambodian Acting Head of State extended his warm welcome to the new ambassador, affirming that the Cambodian Senate, National Assembly, Government, ministries and institutions are ready to closely cooperate with the ambassador to enhance the bilateral relations and cooperation for the mutual interest.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with visiting Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 18, 2022. Cambodia and Saudi Arabia have vowed to further enhance bilateral ties and cooperation for mutual benefits, said a statement from the Cambodian foreign ministry.
The commitment was made on Friday during a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and visiting Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in the capital of Phnom Penh.