Turki Al-Dakhil

By : Turki Al-Dakhil

Saudi Arabia has always been keen on one essential and fundamental concept which is solidifying the concept of the state. Since King Abdulaziz’s era and until King Salman’s, the concept deepened in terms of strengthening and guarding it from sabotage and destruction in neighboring countries. When some threatened to target policemen as security developments unfolded in the eastern region, Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Nayef frankly responded: “The state will remain the state.”

What Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen is an extension of this historical faith and solid conviction. The Saudi king recently advised Lebanese President Michel Aoun about the significance of the state. According to Lebanese Interior Minister Nohad al-Machnouk, King Salman said: “You must impose the state’s control over all of Lebanon.” When Machnouk was asked why Saudi Arabia did not care about Lebanon during more than two years of presidential vacuum, Machnouk said: “Saudi Arabia deals with states and not with party leaders.” This is in brief the essence of the concept which consecutive kings adopted as they believe in dealing with states and not with militias, individuals or party leaders!

Saudi Arabia has lived through exceptional years since 1927. King Abdulaziz desired to solidify his governance against the rogue. Some movements which opposed him were stubborn such as the Brotherhood whom he famously defeated and crushed on March 30, 1929 in the Sabla battle. However, there was another threat which was not highlighted and it was at the northern border. Back then, King Abdulaziz mobilized troops for a battle that will crush the disobedient. The details of this battle are uniquely narrated by King Abdulaziz’s advisor Youssef Yassine. In his book The Dabdaba Dairies – the first dairies of King Abdulaziz’s wars to unify the Saudi kingdom, Yassine wrote: “The king led a powerful army in 1929 going through ad-Dahna desert and al-Samman to eliminate the outlaws, the remnants of the Brotherhood. This year was named the year of Dabdaba, in reference to the location of the battle.”

“When the king arrived to Iraq’s borders, he did his best to make the government know that it was not the target and that he mobilized his forces to discipline some rogue parties which assaulted the borders of neighboring countries, including Iraq,” Yassine added. King Abdulaziz was decisive until security was enhanced and he combed the borders. The state maintained its authority and institutions did their work. This is the era in which the kingdom was founded. There was complete faith in the concept of the state.

Solidifying the state

Saudi Arabia maintained its relations with other countries during the eras of Baath, nationalism, socialist ideologies and extremist parties and it did not slip into the clutches of propaganda and speeches. It believed states are built through institutions and silent work, just like ants silently build their colonies. The 1960s and 1970s were marked with recession and decline and political work became difficult and linked to voices, statements and chatter. However Saudi Arabia had a more serious policy and it was inspired by King Abdulaziz thanks to his awareness in international communities. He had also benefitted from observing world wars. He understood the factors which caused civil wars and since he was a veteran politician, he was aware that any decline of state institutions means the rise of tribal, racial and sectarian ethnicities. This is why the state was an essential option to melt divisions and establish a phase for historical forgetfulness and burying sweeping grudges.

Saudi Arabia has always been keen on one essential and fundamental concept which is solidifying the concept of the state

Turki Aldakhil

This is how Britain was and its experience is immortal and rich. Britain suffered from civil wars in the 17th century but it managed to rise thanks to the undisputable and essential factor of solidifying the state. Institutions became efficient and replaced all grudges. No one killed anyone anymore because they belonged to a different sect. Hatred between Catholics and Protestants was no more and all this is thanks to wise men who at the time realized the meaning of the state. King Abdulaziz was a reader and he was aware of what’s happening in Europe and particularly in Britain, due to its historical role in Gulf countries and due to its close relations with Saudi Arabia in terms of politics and interests ever since founding the kingdom.

In the end, the state is Saudi Arabia’s most significant option. It deals with states and not with parties. This is a rule that any Arab or foreign political analyst must be aware of.

Turki Aldakhil is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, including the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil.

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