The first criterion of choice is efficiency and performance. Therefore, we find that the process of continuous development is the main feature of this stage. Certainly, no one expects that this process will stop any time soon. Modernization and development have a long path ahead of them. They cannot be achieved at once.

 

The appointment of Prince Khalid as Deputy Defense Minister did not surprise many; not only because he was the ambassador of his country to Washington and had deep knowledge in many political, intelligence and military files, but also because he was a member of the Ministry of Defense. He worked as a pilot in the Saudi Royal Air Force and served in the Office of the Minister of Defense, which helped him get a closer look at the Ministry’s development strategy.

 

The appointment of the first female Saudi ambassador to the world’s most powerful country was the biggest surprise for the Saudis before others. Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan landed in Washington after successfully proving herself as a strong figure in government work. In a short period of time, she confirmed the Saudi women’s ability to succeed and confront the toughest challenges. She takes on the former office of her father – the most famous ambassador to the US - as a Saudi woman who has proven herself through a busy path before becoming a princess or ambassador.

 

Undoubtedly, her appointment to this important post is a great boost for women in Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, the process of empowering women in the Kingdom is carried out according to strict criteria and positions are reserved to those who deserve them, as in the rest of the government employments.

 

An adviser to the Crown Prince’s office, like Princess Reema, knows well that the positions are not a mere honorary title, but are the result of a lot of hard work, based on indicators that assess the performance of officials and allow the promotion of only those who deserve it.

 

Princess Reema arrives in Washington while the relationship between her country and the United States is in a strange state of misunderstanding. The formal relationship is perfect, but the problem lies with some official US institutions, such as Congress.

 

However, what helps the new ambassador achieve her government’s aspirations to remove the remnants of Khashoggi’s case with these institutions is the presence of a strong and solid foundation for the Saudi-American strategic alliance and interests that cannot be sacrificed for a passing crisis. Those who committed the crime will be prosecuted and will receive just punishment. It is true that there are those in Washington who do not want to listen to the reality and only follow false impressions and baseless stories, but insiders know well that this crisis is a passing cloud, just like other stronger crises.

 

The relationship must be fixed. It is a difficult mission for the Saudi ambassador to Washington, but confidence is high in her ability to meet this challenge and to accomplish the most important task of her career.