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Saudi Crown Prince on Fox News: Five key takeaways from interview


Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke on several key issues regarding the Kingdom’s foreign policy towards countries such as Iran, Israel and the US, economic growth, peace and stability in Yemen and the broader Middle East, and the Kingdom’s rapid social and political reforms in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News.

Here are five key takeaways from the Crown Prince’s conversation with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.

Saudi Arabia is ‘closer’ to normalizing ties with Israel; Palestine remains a key issue

Saudi Arabia is getting “closer” to normalizing ties with Israel with each passing day, according to the Crown Prince (widely known as MBS), who said that discussions on the normalization are ongoing with the United States.

The Saudi leader, however, reiterated that catering to the needs of the Palestinian people is an important underlying issue to achieve the breakthrough deal.

“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, and we have good negotiations,” the Crown Prince said.

When asked whether he sees himself working with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, MBS said, “If we have a breakthrough of reaching a deal that gives the Palestinians their needs and makes the region calm, we [Saudi Arabia] will work with whoever is there.”

MBS did not make any comments on potential concessions between Israel and Palestine as part of the normalization deal, stating that it’s part of the ongoing negotiations and that he did not want to “disrupt” things and continue the discussions with the Biden administration for a “good life for the Palestinians.”

Saudi will ‘have to’ get nuclear weapons if Iran does

When asked about Iran potentially getting a nuclear weapon, the Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia would “have to” get one in that case for “security reasons” and “balancing power in the Middle East.”

He, however, added that any such attempts would be futile because a country cannot make use of a nuclear weapon without declaring war on the entire world.

“You don’t need to get a nuclear weapon because you can’t use it… without having a war with the rest of the world,” MBS said.

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“The world cannot see another Hiroshima,” he added.

Creating peace and stability in Yemen and the broader Middle East is a key Saudi goal

Establishing a good life for the Yemeni people is a key priority for Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince said, adding that stability and peace in the broader Middle East is paramount to the Kingdom’s economic and political goals.

“Our aim from day one is to have a good life for the Yemenis,” he said.

Economic development of countries like Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and others in the region is key to achieving growth and peace in the region and prevent uprisings from extremist groups, according to the Crown Prince.

“To have a stable region and economic growth we don’t need to see any problems in Yemen, we need to see Iraq going forward, we need to need Iran going forward and Lebanon going forward and the rest of the region,” he said.

“When the region is disturbed, ISIS come out, Al Qaeda come out, and terrorist attacks happen.”

According to the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia is working with the GCC and other global players in the US and Europe to foster peace and stability in the region and create enticing economic opportunities for global companies to come to the Middle East.

US-Saudi relationship remains strong

The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States continues to remain strong as the two countries work together on various issues, including the Saudi-India-Europe railway corridor, normalization with Israel, a ceasefire in Yemen, and increasing trade and investment, according to MBS.

“The agenda between Saudi Arabia and America today is really interesting and we have really amazing relationship with President Biden,” the Crown Prince said.

“He is sharp, really focused and well prepared,” he said, referring to US President Joe Biden.

OPEC+ not taking sides in the Russia-Ukraine war

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Country (OPEC+) is not aligned to Russia or Ukraine when it comes to the oil market, MBS said, addressing questions regarding the OPEC+ conducting deals with Russia that are beneficial to Moscow.

“We just watch supply and demand, if there is a shortage, our role as OPEC+ is to fill that shortage, and if there is oversupply, our role is to measure that for the stability of the market,” the Crown Prince said. “It is purely about demand and supply.”

Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to mediate the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, he said

Read more:

MBS: We will get nuclear weapon if Iran does; Saudi ‘closer’ to Israel normalization

MBS says Mid East, India, Europe corridor will lead to faster, safer trade

MBS says rise in oil prices based on market stability, not meant to help Russia

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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