MBS visit to UK delayed, rift expands between West and KSA: Telegraph

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Telegraph
6 Oct 2023 15:23
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Reports suggest that MBS' visit to the UK is due to the German government's decision to sell Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attends the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023 (AP)

The highly-anticipated visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United Kingdom, scheduled for this autumn, now faces an indefinite delay, raising questions about the fate of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the collective West, a report by The Telegraph explains.

This delay is speculated to be due to the German government's decision to block Britain's sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia, as per the report.

This delay contributes to the expanding rift between Saudi Arabia and the West. The report attributes this strategic divergence to a series of strategic missteps by Biden, leading to strained relations with Middle Eastern partners and an inability to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Saudi Arabia, a key Middle Eastern ally, has recently drifted away from Western alliances by taking steps toward joining the BRICS group, brokering a rapprochement with Iran through Chinese mediation, and reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria.

Saudi Arabia has adeptly leveraged this divergence. During President Xi Jinping's visit in 2022, Saudi Arabia collaborated with Huawei Technologies Co., a company seen as linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

The Saudis even explored pricing oil in yuan and engaged in discussions about a substantial arms deal with China.

Back in August, a report by Bloomberg alleged that Biden's efforts to normalize relations between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia are for the sake of curbing China's sway in a pivotal region.