On the other
hand, Saudi Arabia is also pursuing the wish that Sharif Hussein could not
accomplish. It makes sense that in the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar,
one of the Riyadh terms for lifting sanctions from Doha is expulsion of Turkish
troops from Qatar. Such a term from Riyadh is due to its concern about Turkey's
ambitions, as Turkey is also concerned about Saudi Arabia’s ambition which now
has upper hand at the GCC, the Arab League, and also the Organization of the
Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Besides, Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil
exporter that based on its financial strength purchases several hundred billion
weapons from the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia
seeking a role in New Middle East
The
Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs presents the best description for
the current situation of the Middle East as “The imbroglio Middle East”[1]
which is an example of a discord pattern.
The current
Middle East is a legacy of the Sykes-Picot agreement signed by two superpowers
of that time, France and the United Kingdom determining the Ottoman collapse
during the First World War, a hundred and one years ago in 1961.
While the
Ottoman was entitled as “The Old Man of the Europe”, the geopolitics of Europe
encountered a major war, as a turning point in the twentieth century.
In the meantime
when defeating “the Old Man of the Europe” was on the agenda of Britain, France
and Tsarist Russia, nationalist separation movements had risen in
the Ottoman Empire especially in Arab regions. Exploiting the fact and hoping
the Ottoman’s collapse, London established a secret relationship with the
Governor of Mecca and the Amir of Hijaz, Sharif Hussein, and promised him to
form an independent state across the Arab lands if the forces under his command
arise against the Ottoman government.
Sharif Hussein,
dreaming about the promise that never happened, set up several separatist wars
against the Ottomans, however in the midst of the wars in 1916, Britain and
France divided these territories between themselves and did not have little
intention of conferring independence to Arabs.
The secret
division of the Arab territories of the Ottoman Empire was handed over to
British and French foreign ministers, Mike Sykes and Francois Georges Pico.
According to the confidential agreement known as the Sykes-Picot, nations with artificial
boundaries were drawn on the Arabic lands of the Middle East under Ottomans.
At the end of
the World War in November 1918 and after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire not
only the independence of a unified Arabic country did not materialize, but also
Britain and France, as influential nations in the League of Nations (renamed
United Nations after World War II), passed a humiliating mandate system in
January 1919. According to the Mandate System, the Arab countries of the Middle
East would remain under the tutelage of Britain and France, due to their
“inferiority and lack of sufficient maturity in the administration of their
territories”.
In this way,
according to the Sykes-Pico agreement, the Arabic separation movements from the
Ottoman government didn’t bring indecency, besides, their dignity was also
kicked off based on the Mandate System.
Saudi Arabia
seeking a role in New Middle East
Many analysts
believe that the current borders of the Middle East (Middle East Sykes-Picot)
will change. The Kurds’ efforts to form a united Kurdish government is an
example of the border’s change, as it can no longer be believed that Syria will
remain with its recognized borders.
There are many
claimants for the new Middle East. Turkey and Saudi Arabia are the two major
contenders of the new Middle East. Turkey considers itself as the legacy of the
Ottoman Empire whose territories were spread across three continents, Asia,
Africa and Europe.
On the other
hand, Saudi Arabia is also pursuing the wish that Sharif Hussein could not
accomplish. It makes sense that in the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar,
one of the Riyadh terms for lifting sanctions from Doha is expulsion of Turkish
troops from Qatar. Such a term from Riyadh is due to its concern about Turkey's
ambitions, as Turkey is also concerned about Saudi Arabia’s ambition which now
has upper hand at the GCC, the Arab League, and also the Organization of the
Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Besides, Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil
exporter that based on its financial strength purchases several hundred billion
weapons from the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Turkey, once
owned the Saudi Arabia, cannot accept Saudi Arabia to be superior in the
region. Turkey knows that Saudi Arabia has begun passing the weak circle,
Qatar, in order to teach other Arab countries, as well as Muslim countries, a
lesson to realize that Arab and Islamic leadership is now in the hands of a
country that Arab and Islam were born therein. No wonder that the king of Saudi
calls himself “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” (Khadem al-Haramein), no
wonder that the Mecca (the Muslim’s holiest city) hosts the summit of the
Organization of Islamic Conference, no wonder that Saudi Arabia launches its
media network, al-Arabia, in several languages, no wonder that Saudi Arabia,
for the first time in its history, has led a military coalition (to attack the
Houthis), and no wonder that Saudi Arabia makes insane military purchases.
Such an
authority that stablishes land, sea and air sanctions against its Arab brother,
Qatar, has a huge desire that ultimately not only would be a threat to Turkey
and Iran but would also be a potential threat to Israel.
In Israel the one who noticed this threat
was Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz who expressed concern over huge military
purchase of Saudi Arabia saying, "Saudi Arabia is still a hostile country
without any diplomatic relations and nobody knows what the future will
be."[2]
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