Security drives U.S., Saudi efforts to overcome tensions
Send a link to a friend
[February 17, 2023]
By Aziz El Yaakoubi and Ghaida Ghantous
RIYADH (Reuters) - The United States and Saudi Arabia are trying to move
beyond a public spat last year that saw strategic ties hit a nadir, as
Western and Gulf security concerns align over the threat from Iranian
drones, diplomats and regional experts say.
A senior U.S. delegation visited Saudi Arabia this week for defence
talks with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, headquartered in
Riyadh, that was postponed from October when a row erupted between
Washington and Riyadh over oil policy.
"The working groups offer a way for the U.S. to engage with Gulf
partners on issues of mutual interest away from the political glare,"
said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a political scientist at Rice
University's Baker Institute.
He said Russia's use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war has "certainly
concentrated minds in GCC capitals in a way that the initial Russian
invasion of Ukraine probably didn't".
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have resisted Western pressure
to help isolate Russia, with which they have economic links, and limit
ties with main trading partner China, whose president met with Gulf
leaders in Riyadh in December.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/17/images/ads/current/heartland_lda_020123.png)
The U.S.-Saudi alliance was already strained under U.S. President Joe
Biden, who has taken a tough stance over Riyadh's human rights record
but visited the kingdom last summer to press for more oil supplies.
When in October the OPEC+ oil alliance led by Saudi Arabia and which
includes Russia decided to instead cut output targets, Biden vowed there
would be consequences for Riyadh.
Two diplomats in the region said the U.S.-Gulf talks showed both sides
want to move forward and especially on an institutional level.
DRONES CHANGE THE GAME
Saudi analyst Abdulaziz Sager, speaking on state-run Ekhbariyah TV, said
the entry of Iranian drones into Russia's war on Ukraine lent fresh
impetus at a time when Gulf states were doubting the U.S.' commitment to
the region.
"This is when things really changed, when they (West) felt their
security was threatened by Iran's support for Russia," said Sager,
chairman of Riyadh-based Gulf Research Center.
Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia and its allies have long warned about
regional rival Shi'ite Iran's missile and drone capabilities and proxy
network, especially after attacks on Saudi oil facilities in 2019.
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/021723PIX/news_r91.jpg)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
and U.S President Joe Biden gesture as they stand for a family photo
ahead of the Jeddah Security and Development Summit in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia, July 16, 2022. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal
Court/Handout via REUTERS
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/17/images/ads/current/lccpreschool_quarter_EDUCATION_2023.png)
The U.S. delegation, which included the U.S. special envoy for Iran,
focused on regional integrated air and missile defence and maritime
security, Iran and counterterrorism.
Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle
East, told reporters the discussions covered the "full set of
threats from Iran" in the region and "increased Iranian-Russian
military cooperation for use in Ukraine".
Stroul said discussions on integrated air and missile defence looked
at increased intelligence sharing, early warning and "a more
effective layered air defense", adding that progress depended on the
pace at which individual countries were willing to move.
Security is paramount for Gulf energy producers, which rely heavily
on the U.S. security umbrella, as they vie for foreign capital to
diversify their economies in a turbulent region.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates resent U.S. conditions on
arms sales, however, including over the Yemen war that pits a
Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-aligned Houthi group.
Questioning America's regional role, Gulf states have increasingly
pursued their own national interests, including looking at
diversifying their security and economic partners. The UAE and
Bahrain, for example, have forged ties with Israel for a new
anti-Iran axis.
"The integrated defence system is a good idea when all parties are
under a single leadership, but the question remains... Can American
promises be trusted?," Sager said.
A third diplomat and a Gulf source said U.S.-UAE ties, also tested
last year over what Abu Dhabi saw as a slow U.S. response to Houthi
missile and drone attacks on the country, were in a much better
place with a focus on security matters.
The United States and the UAE, which hosts the COP28 climate summit
this year, have also been cooperating on climate action.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Feb/17/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi in Riyadh and Ghaida Ghantous in
Dubai; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |