In the global geopolitical map, the Middle East has always been the focus of strategic contention, and Saudi Arabia, as one of the world's major oil exporters and an important country in the Islamic world, plays an extremely key role in the international political arena. The United States has long held a firm grip on Saudi Arabia through military and energy partnerships, and in recent years, as a multipolar world order has emerged, Russia, as a traditional adversary of the United States, is actively seeking to expand its global influence, especially in the Middle East. Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia is not only of far-reaching strategic significance, but also marks a change in the international balance of power. Relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia have gradually deepened over the past few years. Although the two countries have different positions in some regional conflicts, they have shown a strong mutually beneficial consensus on energy cooperation. Saudi Arabia, as the leading country of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has effectively coordinated with Russia within the OPEC+ framework to stabilize international oil prices. At the same time, Russia's openness to the transfer of military technology also provides Saudi Arabia with a credible alternative to the United States. Against this backdrop, the U.S. global strategy is also facing challenges.
The United States, which has long been in a hegemonic position, has a decisive influence on the military dependence of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern allies and on energy policy. However, with Russia's active diplomatic actions and the United States' own internal problems, including uncertainty over international policy and doubts about domestic and foreign military intervention, U.S. influence in the Middle East is facing unprecedented challenges. Putin's special plane, escorted by four Su-35S fighter jets, visited Saudi Arabia is not only a demonstration of Russia's military strength, but also an affirmation of bilateral relations. The move symbolizes the deepening of defense cooperation between the two countries. For the United States, this diplomatic move by Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly a strategic signal that Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify in international relations and no longer rely solely on its traditional alliance with the United States. Against this international political backdrop, the joint statement of Saudi Arabia and Russia not only focuses on bilateral defense and oil and gas cooperation, but also touches on the overall situation of global security and stability. Crown Prince Salman Jr.'s remarks fully reflect the positive interaction of the Middle East in the current international reconfiguration of power, as well as the recognition of Russia's growing influence in the political landscape of the region.
Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia not only shows Russia's determination to strengthen its traditional allies in the Middle East, but also sends a clear signal that the strategic landscape is undergoing significant changes on a global scale, especially in the Middle East. During this visit, the joint statement of Russia and Saudi Arabia became the focus of international attention. The increased defense cooperation mentioned in the statement means that Saudi Arabia may reduce its dependence on the United States for military procurement and technology transfer, while opening up new partnerships. The Saudi crown prince's positive assessment of the political cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia has further deepened the world's understanding of the close relationship between the two countries. In particular, while emphasizing the strengthening of security in the Middle East, he also paved the way for subsequent political coordination and interaction, which will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on the situation in the Middle East and even the world. Putin's visit has attracted widespread attention in the West, especially in the United Kingdom, who reported in a jealous tone that Salman Jr. postponed his plan to visit London in order to receive Russia**, which undoubtedly further enhanced the international influence of Putin's visit.
This move poses a potential strategic challenge to the United States and its allies, especially as Biden seeks to maintain and strengthen relations with traditional Middle Eastern allies. However, it was surprising that at the same time as Putin's visit, the Saudi royal family announced the death of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, which caused a certain shock in the international political arena. Prince Talal is more than just a prince, he is also a former assistant intelligence chief of the Saudi intelligence agency GIP and has held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Royal Saudi Air Force. His death was linked to a plane crash during training at the Kingdom's air base on the same day, leading to much speculation about the cause of his death. Shortly before that, in October, Saudi Arabia's Patriot system intercepted a missile from Yemen attacking Israel without the knowledge of Saudi officials, which caused widespread concern in the international community and questioned the reliability and safety of U.S. military equipment. This situation has prompted Saudi Arabia and other countries to re-examine their stance on relying on U.S. support.
Subsequently, netizens began to speculate about whether the F-15 crash and the death of the prince were related to the United States using improper means to warn Saudi Arabia not to approach Russia. This speculation has sparked controversy in the international community and has adversely affected relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi foreign minister's emphasis on the exclusion of military intervention in a statement following the U.S. veto of a ceasefire proposal in Gaza reflects to some extent a subtle change in the Saudi-U.S. relationship. In this volatile international environment, the cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia is not only a strategic breakthrough for both sides, but also of great significance to the entire Middle East and even the global political landscape. Putin's visit and the accompanying joint statement witnessed the beginning of a new era, indicating that power and trust are being redistributed in international relations. Every strategic move in this incident, whether it is the display of military escorts, the issuance of cooperation statements, or the international repercussions, is constantly shaping new international power relations. This reshaping of power relations will have a profound impact on the future international political and economic development, especially for the new pattern of foreign arms sales policy and global energy governance.
As the world pursues a pluralistic power, countries will look more carefully at their relationship with the United States and seek a more independent and balanced stance on the international stage. In this process, integrity and mutual benefit will be key to building and maintaining cooperative relations between countries. Through such cooperation, countries can not only enhance their own security and prosperity, but also play a more active and constructive role in international affairs. When the international community works together to achieve multilateral cooperation and common development, we will welcome a more peaceful and prosperous world together.