MBS originally had a clear Mideast policy, opposition to Islamists everywhere domestically and internationally based on the correct insight that all Islamist entities and organizations have interests that are diametrically opposed to those of the Kingdom under MBS. There was clarity in policy, oppose Islamism everywhere and align with the adversaries of Islamism everywhere. Then MBS normalized relations with Iran instead of Israel and KSA’s regional relations have become increasingly tactical as opposed to strategical. The current predicament of the Kingdom illustrates the failure of tactical policies as opposed to those based on clarity and strategic national security interests.
Islamists have to be purged from the world as appeasing them Qatar-style undermines vital KSA national security interests. Saudi Arabia used to be one giant Qatar in funding Islamism everywhere, then MBS decided to fight Islamism instead, yet now there is policy confusion without strategic clarity. Even Qatar will cease funding Islamism after the Khomeinist regime disappears from the world.
MBS should be applauded for now normalizing relations with the UAE, this is an important step towards return to strategic clarity. MBS original inclinations were right and are still right. Islamism has to be defeated generally and the KSA needs in particular to fund the demise of the Khomeinist regime in Iran. There will be a domino effect with the fall of the Khomeinist regime. Once the Khomeinist regime falls its proxies will lose their strength and Qatar will cease funding Islamism everywhere. KSA is not only the protector of the Holy Places, it should be the protector of (non-Islamist) Islam everywhere and the national strategic security interests of the KSA require return to strategic clarity in Saudi regional policy.
