I have been making this point for a while now: Saudi Arabia does not have a "zero problems" policy; rather, it has adopted a "zero severance" policy. That is, the Kingdom does not totally cut ties and boycott others, as politics is the art of the possible, and it requires communication, even with adversaries.
I previously wrote: "Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has changed the rules of the game through investment initiatives. His projects and programs have made Saudi Arabia a trusted ally and a desirable partner. Communication and building bridges was a necessary element of this success, and that will not change."
I also wrote: "This is what the Crown Prince has done, and that is why I always argue that, under his leadership, Saudi Arabia is not seeking 'zero problems' but 'zero severance,' as Vision 2030 has clear requisites."
Furthermore, I wrote that "communication is the essence of politics, as we negotiate with our adversaries, not our allies. They are the ones we have to come to an understanding with to avert wars and mitigate crises. This is common sense, not a 'foreign policy reset' or 'zero problems.'"
Accordingly, through its various initiatives (foremost among them internal reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed) and its new foreign policy posture, Saudi Arabia is now reaping the political, economic, and, of course, social rewards of its political success.
Some might think that I am hinting at President Donald Trump's announcement of his intention to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia and with Crown Prince Mohammed in the room. Saudi Arabia has welcomed the idea through a statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
Yes, this is a significant and historic summit. However, the matter does not end there. It runs deeper and has its own context. Anyone who looks back at what has been happening recently, for example, going over the list of visitors to Saudi Arabia over the past two months alone, will see that Crown Prince Mohammed's realignment has been and continues to be fruitful.
Over the last two months, for instance, Crown Prince Mohammed has received the British Prime Minister, the French President, the Italian Prime Minister, the German President, and former US President Bill Clinton.
He has also met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the Pakistani Prime Minister, President of Kazakhstan, and President of the World Bank, not to mention the long list of phone calls and other diplomatic engagements.
My point is that Saudi Arabia, under the Crown Prince's leadership, has succeeded in becoming a positive, effective, and credible player. It draws everyone seeking investment, partnership, and stability. This is why it has grown closer to Russia despite criticisms from the US, whose previous policy has proven ineffective. It has also maintained close ties with Ukraine, even inviting its president to the Arab Summit in Jeddah. Likewise, Saudi Arabia remains a close and trusted ally of the United States, even during President Biden's term, despite the criticisms he made before winning the race in 2020.
Today, Saudi Arabia is closer to Europe than Europe is to Washington. It is also closer to China. It is the driving force behind Syria's reconstruction efforts, and it provides a safety net for Lebanon's "new era." Moreover, it is now broadly acknowledged across the region: Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed, has emerged as the real primary defender of the Palestinian cause.
That is how Saudi Arabia has succeeded, and this is how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leader of initiatives, has achieved success on all fronts, in both domestic affairs and on the global stage.