Frankly Speaking: How close are we to a ‘historic’ US-Saudi deal?

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Updated 03 June 2024
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Frankly Speaking: How close are we to a ‘historic’ US-Saudi deal?

Frankly Speaking: How close are we to a ‘historic’ US-Saudi deal?
  • US ambassador to Saudi Arabia says potential agreement has the ability to fundamentally change the landscape of the Middle East for the better
  • Michael Ratney lauds Kingdom’s “extraordinary transformation” from empowerment of women and economic diversification to space exploration

DUBAI: Michael Ratney, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has said that a “historic” security deal currently under negotiation between the two countries has the potential to fundamentally change the landscape of the Middle East for the better.

Appearing on the Arab News current-affairs show “Frankly Speaking,” Ratney was optimistic the deal would both clarify and cement the decades-old relationship — based at present on verbal agreements — between Saudi Arabia and the US.

“We overuse that word ‘historic’ but it would be a historic agreement and it could fundamentally change the landscape in the Middle East for the better,” he said.
“Political cooperation, security cooperation, economic integration.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said the deal, which would see Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalize ties with Israel in exchange for closer US integration and recognition of a Palestinian state, could be just weeks away.

Despite the mutual enthusiasm for the deal, Ratney would not be drawn on the exact timeline for its conclusion, warning there were many moving parts, in particular the willingness of Israel to hold up its end of the bargain.

“I don’t think there’s anybody involved in these negotiations that wouldn’t like to have it finished tomorrow,” Ratney told Katie Jensen, the host of “Frankly Speaking.”

“But since all of that is a part of this agreement and these are extraordinarily complex and detailed discussions, I don’t think I could put a timeline for it.

“There ar also other elements of it including a US Senate role and obviously the situation in Israel weighs on this as well.

“So as much as we would like to get this done tomorrow, we are going to proceed as quickly as we can, as seriously as we can. And we’re going to get this done as soon as all of the pieces fall into place.”




Appearing on the Arab News current-affairs show “Frankly Speaking,” Ratney was optimistic a Saudi-US deal would both clarify and cement the decades-old relationship. (AN Photo)

What makes the deal so significant is that it clearly sets out the parameters of the Saudi-US relationship and safeguards them against the political whims and particularities of future US administrations, lending the partnership a degree of certainty.

“That’s why it’s an agreement that would involve US Senate ratification,” said Ratney. “US Senate ratification means it is a formal agreement that doesn’t depend on a particular administration.

“It would be an enduring agreement not between an administration or a government but between two countries. And in that, that brings certainty. It brings certainty to us. It would bring certainty to the Saudis as well.”

Commentators have drawn parallels between the proposed Saudi-US deal and the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the US and Japan, signed in 1960. Asked whether these assessments were accurate, Ratney said he could not go into specifics.

“I’m really reluctant to get into those sorts of details,” he said. “Those are exactly the kinds of things that are subject to negotiations at the highest level of our government and the highest level of the Saudi government.”

He did, however, say the deal would include upgrades to the security partnership and economic relations, while also taking steps toward meeting Saudi Arabia’s demand for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

“Let’s just say this would be a historic agreement that would upgrade the security partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. It would upgrade the economic relationship. It would bring Israel and Saudi Arabia essentially into the same region. And it would bring benefits and a path to statehood for the Palestinians.

“So, that’s a lot. It’s a complex set of discussions. And I’m really reluctant to get into the details of things, some of which are still yet to be negotiated.”

The success of the deal hinges to a significant degree on Israel’s cooperation. However, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, which has two powerful far-right ministers, has been reluctant to give way on Palestinian statehood and end the war in Gaza.

Ratney, who previously served as a diplomat in Israel, said there was much to be gained for the region.




Michael Ratney, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas and other Arab News journalists during a visit to the headquarters of the newspaper in Riyadh on May 30. (AN Photo)

“I would say all the elements that we have discussed are of extraordinary value. The real value is taking it all together,” he said.

“All of those elements that have been under discussion, all of the US-Saudi pieces and the Israel and the Palestinian pieces taken together could fundamentally change the landscape of this Middle East.

“And that is the lens through which we see it and it’s certainly the lens through which the US Senate sees it and they ultimately would have a vote to ratify it.”

However, US lawmakers have been reluctant to pressure Israel to accept a ceasefire in Gaza. Asked whether Washington’s decisions could radicalize a generation of Arab and Muslim youth and create a Hamas 2.0, Ratney said careful diplomacy was required to achieve a lasting peace.

“It’s impossible for anyone who watches these scenes on a daily basis, and it’s certainly impossible for anyone that knows friends and family who have been engulfed in this conflict, not to be moved by it, and not to be motivated to find a solution as soon as possible, to find an end to the violence in Gaza, to find an end to the threats to Israeli security, to find a path to statehood, so that this sort of, for Palestinians, to ensure that this sort of conflict doesn’t resume,” he said.

“The diplomacy involved with that is extraordinarily complex, and there’s areas that we pursue, and there’s positions that we take that sometimes aren’t popular, but they’re based on our sense of the most expeditious, the most effective way of pursuing it.”

Ratney was further challenged by Jensen, who asked him whether the whole world could be wrong on Israel and why the US appears reluctant to listen to its closest allies and apply firmer pressure on its ally.

In response he said: “I think it’s safe to say that both President Biden, Secretary Blinken, all of our senior officials, have been heavily involved. This has been a major preoccupation of theirs since the outbreak of violence on Oct. 7.

“They have been in the region steadily. Secretary Blinken has been here six times since October 7, our national security adviser as well. In almost every case, that involves visits to Israel as well, where they have, sometimes, very difficult and very direct conversations.

“We have an important relationship with Israel, we have an important partnership with Israel, and we utilize that relationship and partnership to find a decent end to this conflict.”

Saudi Arabia and the US had differences of opinion on regional issues after the Biden administration took office in 2020. However, after President Biden visited the Kingdom in 2022, the differences have made way for greater convergence of opinions.

Ratney, who has been ambassador to Saudi Arabia for a year, said the bilateral relationship was already better when he took up his posting, and that there was potential for even stronger ties.




Ratney, who previously served as a diplomat in Israel was speaking to Frankly Speaking’s Katie Jensen. (AN Photo)

“When I got here a little over a year ago, the relationship felt like it was in a good place. And I do think that’s the case. And I think over the last year, it has gotten better and better as our partnership has diversified, as we’ve delved into negotiations over a potential historical agreement between our countries.

“So, if I look ahead a year, two years, three years, what I’d like is that trajectory and the speed of that diversification and partnership to continue.”

Ratney said he has been impressed by the pace and scale of change in the Kingdom in recent years, particularly the empowerment of women — least of all the lifting of the ban on women driving.

“Women driving is really the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “The big change, the big innovation — and it has fundamentally changed the face of this country — is the fact that women are involved in every aspect of the economy, in every aspect of society.

“And that’s as simple as me going into meetings with senior government officials and seeing women are full participants in these discussions.

“And they’re not there as symbols. They’re highly educated, in many cases, as well-educated or better educated than their male counterparts, often at US universities. And it’s an extraordinary thing to see.”

Turning to areas of cooperation and opportunities between the US and Saudi Arabia, Ratney said there was now scope for trade and exchange in high technology and the creative industries.

“We work heavily with US companies that become intrigued by this market, to export to this market, to partner with Saudis here and invest here, and we see it in areas like not just healthcare, but infrastructure,” he said.

“Obviously, this country is making huge investments in infrastructure and US companies bring real value there. In high tech, Saudi Arabia has ambitions to become a hub for innovation and technological development.

“That in many ways is a US brand, and so US companies, whether Amazon or Google or others, are here, are interested, are involved, and are becoming partners with Saudis in those efforts.

“In the past, there was never much of a film industry here. Now we see US film and television companies interested in partnering with Saudi’s nascent film industry. That’s just extraordinary as well. So across the whole economy, we see opportunities for the US.”




Michael Ratney, the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, was shown a special edition of Arab News by Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas during a visit to the headquarters of the newspaper in Riyadh on May 30. (AN Photo)

Some commentators have suggested that the US has lost business to China in the scramble for contracts in the Kingdom, particularly in relation to technology and communications.

“Are there competitors: Europeans, Chinese? Sure,” Ratney said. “But I have to say, where China might bring low price to the table, what the US brings is value and it brings innovation and it brings partnership, in a way that very few competitors can match.”
Another area of future cooperation is the space sector.

“To listen to the Saudi leadership talk about it, I think, quite rightly, a space sector, a commercial space sector, is becoming increasingly a normal part of any big healthy economy,” Ratney said.

“It was Axiom Space, a US company, that put two Saudi astronauts last year to the International Space Station — an air force pilot and a microbiologist. The Saudis clearly have further ambitions there as well, and we want to be a part of that.”

He added: “Space, commercial space in particular, is the future, and it is an extraordinarily lucrative and extraordinarily ambitious future.”

Although he is only a year into his posting as US ambassador to the Kingdom, Ratney is already looking ahead to the legacy he wants to leave.

“As Saudi’s ambitions expand, whether it’s expanding and reforming their educational sector, building a larger media sector, the space exploration that we talked about, building a high-tech industry, a whole range of areas where the US and Saudi are natural partners, I would like to see a few years from that for everybody to know about that and for Saudi to be succeeding in its ambitions and for the US to be seen as its number one partner as it does so.”

 


Advanced limb surgery at King Faisal Hospital restores child’s mobility

Advanced limb surgery at King Faisal Hospital restores child’s mobility
Updated 7 sec ago
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Advanced limb surgery at King Faisal Hospital restores child’s mobility

Advanced limb surgery at King Faisal Hospital restores child’s mobility
  • Innovative approach was a significant advance in pediatric orthopedic oncology in the Middle East,
  • Success was made possible through collaboration between oncology, orthopedic, and rehabilitation specialists

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre successfully reconstructed the lower limb of an 8-year-old child after removing a malignant bone tumor, avoiding amputation and restoring normal walking ability.

The innovative approach was a significant advance in pediatric orthopedic oncology in the Middle East, offering hope to children facing similar conditions, according to a report.

Given the child’s continuing skeletal growth, the medical team used advanced techniques to ensure proper bone development and limb stability post-surgery.

By combining sports medicine and ligament surgery methods, the reconstruction preserved limb functionality, allowing natural growth and gradual mobility recovery without the need for prosthetics.

The success was made possible through collaboration between oncology, orthopedic, and rehabilitation specialists, using cutting-edge 3D imaging and precise surgical planning.

This achievement offers a new alternative to amputation in pediatric bone cancer treatment and highlights the hospital’s commitment to medical innovation and specialized care. The hospital plans to expand this technique in collaboration with international medical centers.


Saudi-Japan textile partnership weaves sustainability, innovation in Riyadh

Saudi-Japan textile partnership weaves sustainability, innovation in Riyadh
Updated 5 min 58 sec ago
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Saudi-Japan textile partnership weaves sustainability, innovation in Riyadh

Saudi-Japan textile partnership weaves sustainability, innovation in Riyadh

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission is working on strengthening partnerships with Japan in fashion and textile.

The commission hosted “A Journey into Japanese Textile Mastery” in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization, bringing together leading textile manufacturers, designers and industry experts from both countries.

Held at Future Creative Residence in Riyadh, the event focused on high-quality materials, sustainability and innovation. 

It featured a panel discussion with insights from industry experts, including Ammar Bogari, general manager of the Fashion Commission; Asma Al-Othaimeen, co-founder of Chaldene Loungewear; and Japanese representatives from FAO International and Itochu Corp.

Discussions centered on the potential for Japanese textiles to influence Saudi brands, particularly in craftsmanship, sustainable production and luxury materials.

“Our goal at the Fashion Commission is to not only develop Saudi Arabia’s fashion industry but to establish it as a major player in the global market,” Bogari told Arab News.

The event also showcased an exhibition space featuring renowned Japanese textile companies, including Curlelabo, Maker’s Shirt Kamakura, Shindo, Uni Textile, and Parfait Textile.

Attendees explored the latest fabric technologies, materials and high-quality textiles designed to support both emerging and established Saudi designers.

Al-Othaimeen emphasized the importance of integrating Japanese precision and attention to detail into local sustainable fashion.

“The Japanese are known for their quality and their dedication to paying attention to details, and these are important for a sustainable brand. Merging our values together will help us work better,” she said.

Vivian Huang, co-founder of Parfait Textile, highlighted the advantage of Japanese craftsmanship and its appeal to small and growing brands.

“Japanese fabric has high quality, and they do some by hand, so it’s different … we can deliver small orders, so we can support small brands that just started and want to get big,” Huang said.

One of the key displays at the event focused on the history of Japan’s fabric trade relations with Saudi Arabia, illustrating how Japanese textile exports have evolved over the decades, with synthetic textiles being a major export today, particularly for traditional Saudi attire.

The event concluded with a networking session, allowing Saudi designers and business owners to explore potential collaborations with Japanese manufacturers, strengthening the growing relationship between the two countries in the fashion sector.


Tajik ambassador praises KSrelief’s humanitarian work

Tajik ambassador praises KSrelief’s humanitarian work
Updated 11 min 47 sec ago
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Tajik ambassador praises KSrelief’s humanitarian work

Tajik ambassador praises KSrelief’s humanitarian work
  • Saudi aid agency to send doctors to perform pediatric heart surgeries after Ramadan

Riyadh: Akram Karimi, Tajikistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, praised the Kingdom’s relief and humanitarian efforts through the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, which supports those in need in the Central Asian country.

The envoy met with KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General for Planning and Development Aqeel Al-Ghamdi in Riyadh to discuss relief and humanitarian matters, as well as ways to enhance humanitarian efforts in Tajikistan.

Karimi told Arab News that during his meeting with Al-Ghamdi, he discussed cooperation between Tajikistan and KSrelief and conveyed his government’s gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support in implementing humanitarian and social programs.

He highlighted KSrelief as one of the leading institutions operating in Tajikistan in the fields of relief, humanitarian, and social activities, noting that the agency has undertaken more than 25 projects in the country, with funding exceeding $16 million.

Of future cooperation, Karimi said they explored ways to strengthen collaboration, particularly in priority sectors such as healthcare.

He added: “We reached an agreement on the visit of a team of Saudi doctors to Tajikistan after the holy month of Ramadan to hold a medical campaign to perform voluntary surgeries for children with heart failure.”


Kingdom exhibits rare manuscripts in Doha

Kingdom exhibits rare manuscripts in Doha
Updated 16 min 32 sec ago
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Kingdom exhibits rare manuscripts in Doha

Kingdom exhibits rare manuscripts in Doha

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s Libraries Commission is showcasing several rare manuscripts outlining the nation’s heritage at the ongoing Saudi Cultural Week in Doha. 

The event, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with its Qatari counterpart, began on Tuesday and will end on Feb. 21.

Being held at Darb Al-Saai, it aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s culture and promote international exchange as a part of Vision 2030, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The event also has programs and projects aimed at developing the library sector and enhancing access to knowledge.

This participation aligns with the commission’s efforts to elevate Saudi Arabia’s culture globally, strengthen ties with Qatar, and engage Gulf and international audiences, the SPA report added. 

The Kingdom’s Year of Handicrafts 2025 initiative is being showcased for the first time at the event, with a dedicated corner offering information about the project. 

Ten skilled Saudi Arabia artisans are displaying traditional arts and handicrafts, including Al-Hasawi Bisht weaving and tailoring (a traditional men’s outer cloak), Al-Sadu weaving (a traditional textile), and iqal crafting (a traditional headband).

There are several interactive screens illustrating various handicrafts and their unique characteristics.

The event also features live culinary demonstrations by five top Saudi Arabia chefs, where visitors can sample authentic dishes from the Kingdom.


Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum
Updated 47 min 21 sec ago
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Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum
  • Former PM commends crown prince as a ‘leader with courage’
  • Compares rapid development in Saudi Arabia with UK’s sluggish progress

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s bold leadership and rapid transformation under Vision 2030 should serve as a model for other nations, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson said today at the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.

Comparing the Kingdom’s accelerated economic and infrastructure development to the UK’s sluggish progress, Johnson highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects efficiently, crediting its decisive leadership for the shift.

“I visited NEOM eight years ago, and there was absolutely nothing there. Now, Saudi Arabia has built world-class resorts, with 12,000 hotel rooms under development,” he said. “Meanwhile, in the UK, we still struggle to complete one railway.”

Johnson praised Vision 2030 as the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s progress, highlighting its role in economic diversification, infrastructure expansion and social reforms. “Fifty percent of the Saudi economy is now non-oil,” he said, citing the Kingdom’s shift toward tourism, technology and renewable energy as key indicators of success.

Women’s empowerment also featured prominently in his remarks. Johnson highlighted that Saudi women’s participation in the technology workforce now surpasses that of Silicon Valley and Europe. “Look at the speed of change,” he said. “We in the UK need to learn from this.”

Beyond economic reforms, Johnson acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s rising diplomatic and geopolitical influence. He referenced its role in global discussions and peace initiatives, calling the Kingdom a key player in shaping the region’s future.

On the crisis in Gaza, Johnson called for strong leadership and reconciliation, urging the need for leaders with the courage to push for peace. “Saudi Arabia is playing a historic role in bringing long-term peace and prosperity to the region,” he said.

Johnson contrasted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects quickly with the bureaucratic delays plaguing infrastructure development in the UK. “You’ve spent $68 billion on these projects, and we still can’t complete one railway,” he said, referencing the UK’s stalled High Speed 2 rail project.

“Saudi Arabia is a country where things are happening with incredible speed and decisiveness. Frankly, we need to learn that in the UK,” he added.

Shifting focus to media and public perception, Johnson criticized the role of social media algorithms in shaping biased narratives. He said that platforms like YouTube and Twitter often reinforce pre-existing beliefs rather than providing balanced perspectives. “We need to ensure the media presents balanced facts, rather than reinforcing pre-existing biases,” he added.

Reflecting on his own career, Johnson discussed his transition from journalism to politics, and said that he wanted to shift from critiquing policy to actively shaping it. “As a journalist, you throw rocks. As a politician, you build,” he added.

Johnson also pointed to the difficulty of leadership in a social media-driven world, where political figures face instant scrutiny and polarized opinions.

Concluding the session, Johnson praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, quoting Winston Churchill: “Courage is the most important virtue, and this country is fortunate to have a leader with courage.”

The Saudi Media Forum 2025, held in Riyadh from Feb. 19-21, brings together global media figures, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of media, governance and international relations.