Jamal Khashoggi
By Jamal Khashoggi
A few days ago, The Washington Post published a negative story underlining what it described “menace of Saudi military intervention in Syrian conflict”. This is not new- many similar opinions have appeared in the Western Media blaming Saudi Arabia for threatening global peace, as if Iran and Russia are distributing roses in Syria and Yemen! The most interesting part of the report was where it said the issue has reached the concern of Saudi citizens who have begun to worry about involvement of the country in battles on two fronts.
The daily quoted a Saudi political observer, described as close to the senior officials, as saying, “Our economy is suffering, and despite this some leaders gave statements that we might become involved in the war in Syria against Russia”. It is clear that our fellow citizen is not happy with the statements made by the Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir and Advisor to the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier Ahmad Al Asiri about Saudi’s “preparation” to send ground forces to Syria to fight Islamic State (IS).
This opinion does represent a real movement inside Saudi society. At our gatherings people openly raise difficult questions, and writers express their fears between lines in articles. It is best to sum up these opinions in what our fellow citizen said to Washington Post. “There is a real fear among Saudis, including members of the royal family, who are worried about the country’s involvement in foreign conflicts”. The daily, which said the source requested not to mention his name, also quoted him as saying “I think there is a widespread belief that we have lost the ability to differentiate things reasonably”. The problem is not what he said, but the lack of explanations offered to remove doubts and build trust amongst the Saudi population about where we are heading.
The business community is smart enough and knows the risks of military involvement, but lack of correct information can have negative impacts on the performance of the sector. Also, discussions about the battle have imposed themselves, with an influx of rumours and exaggerations coming through Whatsapp which are becoming more influential than an article written by one of the officials.
The result is that fateful battles against Iran, the intervention in Syria and the war in Yemen have become controversial and have been mixed with other old issues such as driving ban for women, and conflicts of parties. The issue has been misused and diverted from its major aims. For instance one of the columnists questioned the Saudi, Qatari and Turkish alliance because it does not comply with his political whims and he want to pull Egypt into an alliance which it does not want. Another writer claimed that supporters of the confrontation with Iran are seeking to drag the Kingdom into endless conflicts because it serve their political desires. It is natural that such contradicting opinions create confusion amongst people in society.
The majority of the opinions and analytical views were reacting to statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adel Al Jubeir, but his comments are always directed to abroad, so there is now a need for the leadership to make it clear to the Saudi public how the battles against Iran (Hizbollah) to prevent it from winning in Syria, and against Houthi’s backed by Iran in Yemen are both important and necessary, and worth the risk to security and stability.
Should we be instead paying more attention to the local situation and responding to the people’s needs for education, housing, health and a better life, or we can do both together? As long as the leadership is determined to get involved in confrontations at any cost, then it is time to reconcile this plan with Saudi society. Peace and war cannot bear procrastination or diversity of opinions. Any analyst realizes that the battle against Iran to expel it out of our region will be long and difficult. Therefore it is also time for the Saudi people to listen directly to their leadership about the detailed aims and reasons for the military action, and what is needed from the public.
Any wise observer can see that the Kingdom is cautious about intervening in external conflicts, and therefore has usually preferred to support the oppositions in Yemen and Syria, where these opposition forces are capable of ending these conflicts.
No Saudi official has said that the Kingdom will send any troops to Syria, but only limited, special forces- on the condition that it has air coverage from the international community, particularly America. Also, Saudi Arabia did not cut its ties with Russia, but is still communicating with it, and recently King Salman made a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Saudi is using all means, including political, economic and military support, cautiously and with wisdom. I can assure you that most Saudis have confidence in their leadership, and believe in the necessity of the confrontations to protect their homeland.
The writer is a Saudi Arabian journalist, columnist, author and the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Al Arab News Channel.
