DM Monitoring
Ankara: Turkey-Saudi Arabia relations may enter a normalization period based on improved ties and coordination on regional issues, experts say, underlining the possible effects of expected changes in U.S. foreign policy under President-elect Joe Biden and their impact on Saudi Arabia’s administration and policies.
Speaking to Daily Sabah, Ahmet Uysal, head of the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), said we can expect a new period in Turkey-Saudi Arabian relations if the kingdom takes a more rational stand on foreign policy priorities under expected pressure from the new U.S. administration.
He said there is no need for conflict between the two regional powers: They can cooperate on many issues in the region if Saudi Arabia abandons its irrational position.
“It is all about the countries’ will and vision. Turkey would be ready for such cooperation,” he added.
Ali Bakeer, an assistant professor at Qatar University’s Ibn Khaldun Center, said it is too early to draw long-term conclusions when it comes to Saudi-Turkish relations, but there have been positive signs during the last two months that bilateral relations will get back on track.
“This trend might become clearer depending on several factors including Biden’s policies toward Riyadh and Ankara on the one hand and the possible deal between Washington and Tehran on the other,” he explained. Uysal noted that bilateral relations between the two countries deteriorated following the Arab Spring in 2011 and relatively improved again during the rule of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“Then, (Donald) Trump came and disrupted this direction. While Trump handed over the rule of the kingdom to (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), a new camp was formed in the region and Saudi Arabia moved away from Turkey once again,” he explained. Tayyar Arı, head of Uludağ University’s International Relations Department, also noted that some kind of soft coup unfolded in the administration of Saudi Arabia in 2017. With Trump’s support, MBS has become the de facto ruler of the kingdom, while King Salman was pushed aside.
