A Conversation with Adel Al Jubeir on Middle East Security

Deeper engagement with the United States and a positive impact from China’s growing role in the world are leading expectations for the near future for the Middle East, said Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.

Under a new US administration, Jubeir said he is looking to see “more American engagement in the region, a serious effort to destroy ISIS, to contain Iran.” Pointing out that the US and Saudi Arabia have maintained a strategic alliance since World War II, Jubeir said, “We expect it to broaden.” He added, “The US goes through periods. I think now it will go through a period of engagement with the world.”

Jubeir sounded a note of caution, referring to the plans of the incoming US administration to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which would be a major shift in US diplomatic policy. On an optimistic note, he referred to the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for full diplomatic recognition of Israel by the Arab region in exchange for the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian territories and a just resolution to the refugee problem. “The initiative is still on the table,” he said, noting that, at a meeting in Paris on 15 January, participants from 70 countries backed it.

Al Jubeir takes a positive view of the rise of China and the impact it can have on world affairs. China’s role in the Middle East and worldwide will grow, he predicted. “The rise of China should be welcome,” he said, as it should favour stability around the globe.

Al Jubeir also referred to the influence of Iran in the region, noting that Saudi Arabia views the nuclear deal between the US and Iran with concern. “The deal has to be implemented to the letter.”

He appealed to leaders in the region to gather the courage and political will to settle the conflicts in the region.