DÉFENSE ZONE
This section of our print magazine sheds light on a complex geostrategic situation, one that is not always properly explained yet is essential to better understand the world we live in. In our latest print issue, we head to the Middle East to look at the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a power that seems to be upending the game of international relations.
A country constantly at war
To say that the kingdom has conflictual relations with its neighbours is an understatement. At war in Yemen since 2015 against the Iranian-backed Shia Houthi rebels, the country also confronts Iraq on the political and religious front. Between 2012 and 2018, the kingdom also gave military support to the anti-Assad opposition in Syria.
Moreover, through this belligerent foreign policy, to say the least, Saudi Arabia draws its Western allies, dependent on its precious oil, into its geopolitical game in spite of themselves. In 2019, the media outlet Disclose revealed confidential documents attesting to the presence of French weapons in Yemen. In addition to Mirage 2000s, Leclerc tanks are also being used in this civil war, which has already killed more than 337,000 civilians in 7 years, according to United Nations estimates.
A new “liberal” deal
A change of course in 2019: Saudi Aramco was listed on the Riyadh stock exchange, with the aim of gradually privatising the oil giant. The crown prince aims to create a sovereign wealth fund worth 2,000 billion dollars and wants to reinvest the profits in foreign companies that pay dividends.
This new strategy is part of his “Vision 2030”, a development plan designed to end dependence on oil revenues. By 2030, the kingdom is expected to have 16 nuclear reactors and a solar park with a capacity equivalent to 25 of those reactors, and it aims to become an internationally renowned scientific hub. The goal is to increase non-oil revenues sixfold and create 450,000 jobs in the private sector. The plan also involves the creation of the megacity of Neom, a city of the future covering 26,000 square kilometres along the Gulf of Aqaba, opposite the Egyptian Sinai. Estimated cost of the operation: 500 billion dollars.
Find out more
Read the full “Geostrategy” article in our latest issue of Défense Zone by going straight to our bookshop via this link.
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