Although this trip has more symbolic value on the surface, in a way, it is a show of Saudi Arabia’s power that, in recent years, has tried to introduce itself as the leader of the Islamic world and to present the image of a balancing and developmental actor. Accordingly, the Saudi delegation’s visit to the occupied Palestinian territories does not only have symbolic aspects; The Saudi delegation is going to meet Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, in Ramallah, and the planning of such meetings is actually a kind of preparation of the conditions for reaching agreements that will lead to a possible settlement of the Palestinian issue and after that, if possible, the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli regime. In fact, Mohammed bin Salman, who was hated and under pressure some time ago due to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the internal problems caused by the succession crisis, has now succeeded in adopting new and popular approaches in the international arena, making himself and his country an actor and key player so that apparently all the dreams of peace lead to them!

In this regard, Saudi Arabia is trying and consulting amid diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with the Zionist regime to put pressure on this regime on the one hand and obtain concessions, even small, from Palestinians and on the other hand, while consulting with Palestinian authorities, encourage them to be pragmatic and move towards peaceful agreements. Of course, the resolution of the Palestinian issue and mediation to register the document of the end of the historical conflicts between Palestine and the Israeli regime in the name of Saudi Arabia are not all the efforts and concerns of the Saudis. The new Arabia is trying to become the superior power of the West Asia region, and realizing this goal requires the enjoyment of all the tools of power that may be/or may not be in the hands of rivals.

In line with this approach, this country seeks to acquire technologies that can change the strategic game scene in the region and the world, From nuclear energy to artificial intelligence. As a result, since the end of 2020, Saudi Arabia has designed its national strategy in the field of data and artificial intelligence to attract 20 billion dollars of foreign and domestic investment by 2030 and has begun close competition with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Egypt, the UAE, Turkey and Qatar, which are prominent regional actors in this area, as well as the Israeli regime.  The result of these plans was that in 2023, Saudi Arabia was at the top of the world table of “Government Strategy of Artificial Intelligence,” which shows the depth of the will and seriousness of this country in implementing the national strategy.

Even though significant powers have not seriously hindered Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, the country’s requests to achieve uranium enrichment and nuclear technology have serious and stubborn opponents. The US and the Israeli regimes are at the top of these opponents Because they believe that permitting Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium is a threat to the Israeli regime and will lead to an arms race in the Middle East.

Differences in these fields, along with Saudi Arabia’s request to establish a defense agreement with Washington, have caused American officials to announce that the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is still far from reach. However, the Israeli regime still hopes or at least tries to keep the negotiations open to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. As a result, Tel Aviv announced that not only will the agreement with Saudi Arabia be signed in the first quarter of 2024 in the White House, but this compromise will include Saudi Arabia, but six or seven other countries will also join it.

Now, whether we accept the pessimistic attitude of the US or believe the optimistic approach of the Israeli regime, it is an undeniable fact that Saudi Arabia has entered into a serious competitive game with regional powers and has taken a high rise to become a superior power of the region and the so-called undisputed leader of the Islamic world.

Unlike other countries in the region that only focus on designing a vision and are not determined and serious about realizing it, Saudi Arabia has performed strongly in implementing its “Vision 2030” program, which aims to make this country the most successful country in the region in reducing oil dependence. It is designed to diversify the economy and develop service sectors such as health, infrastructure, education, recreation, and tourism. In such a situation, the only concern is not the development of the Abraham Accords and the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and some other Arab and Islamic countries with the Israeli regime; Rather, considering the new conditions in the region and the threat to Iran’s strategic position, if serious measures are not taken to bring it together and contain it, our country could lose its key position and importance in the not-too-distant future and, as a result, its bargaining power in the region and become a passive actor and spectator of developments.