It’s official: The Saudis are remaking the Middle East. Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman gave his first press conference to foreign journalists, and he confirmed what retired Saudi General Anwar Eshki said at the Council on Foreign Relations on June 4, 2015. The key to successful change is incrementalism. You have…
Reading tea leaves in the Middle East
April 11, 2016
For me, reading the tea leaves in the Middle East is exciting. All I see is good news. Keep in mind, though, the caliber of the people who are reshaping the region. The leaders and the men carrying out combat missions are a new breed. It’ll take decades for the rest of us to catch…
Actions are what counts. We can trust the Saudis
March 16, 2016
Someone asked if the world can trust the Saudis. Well, their actions prove to me that they’re 100 percent trustworthy. Saudi Arabia is in the midst of one of history’s greatest and fastest transformations. If I had my way, everyone would concentrate on the huge accomplishments and ignore the rest. I believe I know what…