Opinion

Why are they interfering in our affairs?

March 24, 2018
Why are they interfering in our affairs?

Abdullah bin Bakheet

Alriyadh newspaper

Lately, the Kingdom has been at the center of a barrage of criticism both online and on television networks. Some praise, some criticize and others analyze our every move. Whenever someone writes or tweets something critical of the Kingdom, Saudi writers and tweeters most always respond to them in defense of their country.

Responses to criticism are of two types: An objection followed by a rebuttal or abusive replies. Often, these exchanges escalate to mutual insults. None of this interests me because I have lived through plenty of situations where Arabs are criticized and blamed, a trend that has been going on since the 1970s. The only explanation as to why the Kingdom, out of all Arab countries, is being criticized these days is that the world is interconnected and whatever happens in the Kingdom is a global matter. Some people criticize out of absolute jealousy and some criticize to feed the fire only.

We all know that the US is the world’s destiny and the world is the US’ destiny. But if you review any newspaper, TV channel or social media account, you will see that all feature articles or caricatures that either praise or criticize the US and its foreign policy. This does not mean people love or hate the US; they just view it from a point of intrigue because whatever happens in the US affect their countries in one way or another. Americans know that their country is under constant criticism, so much so that if they wanted to reply to all the insults, they would need to outsource it to the Chinese.

The Kingdom today is the strongest, wealthiest and most important Arab country. Its policies affect the countries surrounding it and every move it takes reflects on the whole region. Some countries are affected positively, so they praise and show gratitude. Countries affected negatively are more likely to express their anger with curses and insults.

This is the destiny of the Kingdom because it has the Two Holy Mosques, the largest oil reserves in the world, a population that makes up the largest number of Arab tourists, millions of citizens who are educated in the best universities of the world and a land mass that borders six countries and overlooks two oceans.

The concern that other countries are interfering in the Kingdom’s affairs is imposed by reality and comes with the large role Saudi Arabia plays. The Kingdom affects both the educated and illiterate in every Arab country. There will be winners and losers in these countries and if we take measure of the Kingdom’s unique situation, we will choose our words carefully before saying them.


March 24, 2018
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