Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Saudi's embrace of Assad sends strong message to US

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 24 May 2023 15:40
3 Min Read

Warm greetings and an embrace challenge the US' role in the Middle East after Syria was welcomed back into the Arab League.

  • x
  • ] Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shakes hands with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad ahead of the Arab League Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout (Reuters)
    Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) shakes hands with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) ahead of the Arab League Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) took center stage last week when Arab governments re-admitted Syria to the Arab League, signaling to Washington who calls the shot in the Middle East, according to Reuters.

His warm welcome of President Bashar al-Assad at the Arab summit overcame the US opposition to Syria's re-entry into the League and capped a turnaround in the prince's fortunes prompted by geopolitical realities.

According to Reuters, MBS aspires to reestablish Saudi Arabia as a regional leader by using its position atop an energy behemoth in an oil-dependent globe ravaged by the Ukraine war.

Skeptical of US pledges on Saudi security and bored of its scolding tone, MBS is instead strengthening connections with other global powers and, to Washington's chagrin, altering his relations with their common adversaries.

Diplomacy speaks

Related News

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

MBS' position was strengthened last year when Western economies sought Saudi Arabia for assistance in taming an oil market destabilized by the Ukrainian conflict. It allowed him to undertake a diplomatic effort that included high-profile summit visits.

That attempt was bolstered when Washington declared MBS free from punishment for Khashoggi's murder, despite the fact that US intelligence had explicitly linked him to it.

Last July's visit by US President Joe Biden underlined Riyadh's regaining influence: the American leader went back empty-handed, while the prince received a public demonstration of US commitment to Saudi security.

Meanwhile, China brokered a settlement between Riyadh and Iran this year, signaling Saudi Arabia's shift away from reliance on the US.

Read next: De-dollarization: Slowly but surely

Debatable relationship 

According to a Gulf official, the new, more directly transactional relationship with the US has replaced the old oil-for-defense model due to what Riyadh perceived as a shakier security cover following the Arab revolts of 2011.

A senior State Department official said the relationship is "an important eight-decade one that spans generations, across administrations in our own country and across leaders in Saudi Arabia".

"We have multiple interests when it comes to our relationship with Saudi Arabia...Our policy and engagement will seek to ensure that our relationship remains sound and able to meet our shared challenges of the future."

  • Arab League
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Bashar al-Assad
  • United States
  • Syria

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS