Saudi Arabia Recognizes the Goals for Which Wars Are Fought

Listen to the article, the audio text is automatically generated by a machine system.

The goals for which wars are fought are multiple; however, in the case of the wars in the Middle East, there are many factors that play a prominent role in shaping how these wars occur. Over the past decades, the Middle East has produced different objectives for wars, as the interventions of some Middle Eastern countries in the affairs of others have contributed to redefining these wars according to various hypotheses that imposed multiple reasons on the countries in the region to engage in and manage wars. Therefore, the wars in the Middle East have remained among the longest-lasting wars on an international level, which explains the extent of the interventions practiced by countries in the region that have built themselves as a continuous destructive factor for the idea of stability in the region.

From here, the fundamental starting point for understanding Saudi policy - as explained by diplomatic behavior - must be based on a clear understanding of the history of this state, which extends over three centuries. History has proven that lasting peace in the region is the primary goal of Saudi policy, which sees that the Middle East should be free from crises and wars. Through tracking Saudi political positions, everyone realizes that Saudi Arabia has never had selfish goals regarding the stability of the region throughout its history. It is the only country that does not seek special gains and compensations from the crises occurring in the region, and perhaps this political stability behind values and principles is what has formed a significant weight that Saudi policy has been able to carry since the end of World War II until today.

Saudi Arabia has fundamental principles in its political and military values; at the forefront is the defense of its national security, the protection of its sanctities and borders, and the support of peace in the region and the world. Saudi Arabia has never been a proponent of wars or undermining international legitimacy, and throughout its history, it has not sought military confrontations. Therefore, the purpose of war, when imposed on the region, should be to create peace and nothing more. If we look at the situation in the region - whether in the American-Iranian crisis or the Houthi crisis in Yemen - the first conclusions are related to a fundamental hypothesis that states, 'The continuation of conflicts is an increasing threat to the reputation of the region and a continuous doubt in its ability to achieve stability.'

The geographical location of Saudi Arabia has placed it at the heart of events since the end of World War II, which explains its ability to contribute to regional crises and push for peaceful solutions. It also explains how Saudi policy has spent nearly eight decades working to be the party seeking stability by offering initiatives and solutions despite all the transformations that the region has undergone and the competition among global powers that sought to achieve their own goals and interests in managing regional security. The U.S. and the Soviet Union competed for the region before the latter's dissolution, which allowed the U.S. to redefine its presence in the region multiple times, ultimately leading to long conflicts and narrow opportunities for achieving peace and stability in the area.

Those who follow the Saudi political discourse can clearly see that the Kingdom will not abandon its ambitions to promote peace in the region despite all the crises. What is articulated by politicians and diplomats clearly reflects that Saudi Arabia will not forsake its priorities. At the same time, it understands the objectives for which wars are fought if necessary, regardless of the external factors surrounding the region, whether the behavior of major powers or the course of regional wars.

The Saudi goal in the Yemeni crisis is to restore legitimacy to Yemen, return stability, and resume development according to an international and regional political path that ensures the return of a unified Yemen to its former state, away from wars and crises and away from the direct threat to the Saudi strategic space, and away from direct and indirect interventions. All of this is to end the idea of Yemen becoming a launch point for proxies supported either by Iran or other countries.