WALL- This week, the decision of OPEC+ countries to reduce oil production and the tension created by this decision in American-Saudi relations was one of the most hot topics in Arab newspapers. Some newspapers and columnists interpreted this step of Saudi Arabia as a big slap of Saudi Arabia to the West and the USA.
In the Arab World, the decision of OPEC+ countries to reduce oil production has left its mark on the agenda this week. The fact that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates took a stance against the demands of the American administration to increase oil production angered the American administration. The US president evaluated the situation as “This is not over here”.
While the US was working on alternative steps against this move of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi administration announced that it did not politicize the issue of oil production. Saudi Arabian newspapers also wrote that the country’s attitude is not due to a preference between the USA or Russia, and that it is a matter of supply and demand. There were calls for sanctions against Saudi Arabia in the USA on the agenda of many columnists in Saudi newspapers.
‘FROM MBS to USA: NO FREE OIL’
Although Saudi newspapers wrote that the decision to reduce oil production was not political, in most Arab newspapers, it was pointed out that this decision was political and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), who has not received the international legitimacy he wanted from the US until now, gave Biden a slap. was evaluated.
One of the most striking comments on the subject came from the Lebanese newspaper El Akhbar columnist Hussein Ibrahim. The author covered this step of Bin Salman with the title “Bin Salman Turned the Table, From Riyadh to Washington: No Free Oil”. Here are the headlines we have compiled from some Arab newspapers about the agenda this week:
‘THE HERO OF SAUDI RISK TO THE USA’
“Saudi Arabia did what it would do. Using its influence in OPEC+, it took a position in favor of reducing its production by 2 million barrels a day together with Russia. The decision to cut oil production came as a shock to the United States. While explaining Saudi Arabia’s tendency in this direction, many issues can be mentioned, but two of them stand out more: First, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not be free to insist on the United States not to recognize his legitimacy, and towards an inevitable defeat on the eve of the by-elections. He showed that nothing could stop him from further increasing the burden of outgoing Republicans. Secondly, Mohammed Bin Salman has no choice but to hope that oil prices will rise for the massive projects he plans to implement. And it seems that his interests with Russia intersect very clearly here. In contrast, the United States under Joe Biden faced difficult choices. Because he based all his calculations on Saudi Arabia’s agreement to increase oil production. And it turned out, too late, that it was all hope. Now he is seriously calculating how he will respond to this Saudi rebellion. But no matter what he does, it won’t be able to protect him.” (Lebanon Al Akhbar Newspaper)
‘DIFFICULT WORK TO SATISFY AMERICA’
“Some Americans seem more zealous in punishing Saudi Arabia for voting to cut oil production than their willingness to punish Russia for invading Ukraine. Disputes over oil prices are long-term disputes. This is a recurring problem between producer and consumer. But criticizing Riyadh and bringing the issue to a political dimension, as some do, harms everyone.
What to say that it is in Russia’s interest to reduce oil production? We are in a very confused situation right now. Previously, Saudi Arabia increased its production, and the Russian press considered this a step against Moscow. Because Saudi Arabia’s increase in production has reduced the West’s dependence on Russian oil.
In fact, the Biden administration, which claims to be the victim of evil Saudis, is a very vicious player. He hasn’t done anything to lower oil prices. For example, it exempts Venezuela from sanctions and helps it increase its production. On the other hand, it gives the green light to some companies about shale oil production. In addition, they have strategic stocks enough to turn the oil market upside down. Maybe the Biden administration is aiming to be a hero before the elections by succeeding and bringing oil prices down.” (Abdurrahman Rashad / Saudi Sark’ül Evsat Newspaper)
‘WHAT HAPPENS IF PUTIN USES NUCLEAR?’
“The statement of American President Joe Biden that ‘Putin is not joking about nuclear weapons’ is a very serious and dangerous statement. This acknowledgment that Putin can actually use nuclear weapons is dangerous not just for Americans but for all humanity.
The point that will fuel the use of nuclear weapons is that Ukraine will reach the ability to take back the regions annexed by Russia, and especially the possibility of the fall of Crimea.
Because this decline constitutes a strategic loss for the navy of the Russian army and means Putin’s declaration that a real defeat in Ukraine is near. This puts Putin at risk of being overthrown.
In this context, Putin’s use of nuclear weapons means that he sets out a new balance that can be suicidal: the use of nuclear weapons that could cost the lives of millions of people in exchange for stopping the West-Ukraine attacks.” (Quds Al Arabi newspaper / Editorial)
‘IRAN DILEMMA OF THE ARAB WORLD’
“The Arab world is divided over what is going on in Iran. On the one hand, there are those who fully support Iran on the grounds that it acts as a deterrent against Israel, and on the other hand, those who hate Iran for various reasons, such as sectarian reasons, support for Washington, or their positions in Syria and Iraq.
There is a dilemma about Iran, especially for activists and intellectuals. They see what is happening in Iran as choosing between Tehran and Washington. This attitude is understandable to a certain extent. Because the region has suffered from the American hegemony and its support for Israel for a long time and continues to do so. I’m not talking about the past. I’m talking about the current situation and the future. Two important powers competing for dominance in the region; Iran and Israel.
Popular support for the 1979 Iranian Revolution was overwhelming in the Arab World. Because this revolution was a hope to limit the dominance of America and Israel in the region. But later, when the Mullah regime began to strike a blow to the Left and other forces participating in the revolution, holes in this popular support began to open.
There is a popular movement in Iran right now. Although the US tries to use what is happening in Iran for its own benefit, this does not mean that the rights of Iranian women and youth should be ignored. What we want here is not US involvement in overthrowing the Iranian regime. What is demanded from the Arab intellectual is a clear and principled attitude. Just as we reject any Arab regime’s oppression of its people, we must also reject the Iranian administration’s oppression of the women of its own country. It should not be forgotten that regimes are gone, peoples remain. And we cannot tell Iran’s future generations our silence.” (Lamis Andoni / Based in London Al Arabi Al Jadid newspaper)