Who rules the world?
FEW years back this would have been the simplest of questions. In the words of Noam Chomsky, “Among states, since the end of World War-II, the United States has been by far the first among unequals and remains so. It still largely sets the terms for global discourse. Washington’s power is to some extent shared within the “de facto world government” of the “masters of the universe” referring to the leading state capitalists powers (the G7 countries) along with the institutions they control. Especially since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US has commanded an unrivalled supremacy in the international politics, as the international policeman or the only arbiter of global status. This situation has been seriously challenged in the recent past and many incidents in the last few years could be quoted to support the fact that US capacity to shape geopolitics around the world has seriously diminished.
However, the strongest statement challenging the US supremacy comes from the picture above, released by the Chinese State media on 10 March 2023. The picture shows China’s senior diplomat Wang Yi flanked by Excellency Dr Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
After months of negotiations, the representatives of China and Saudi Arabia finally met in Beijing to conclude the much sort after agreement. The three countries announced that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states. They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations. They also agreed to implement the Security Cooperation Agreement between them which was signed on 17 April 2001 and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports and Youth which was signed on April 27, 1998.
Traditionally, Iran and Saudi Arabia have not enjoyed good relations except for short periods of bonhomie between the two. In 2016, as a result of the execution of a Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, protests were held in Tehran during which angry protesters attacked the Saudi embassy. As a protest the Saudis cut diplomatic ties with Iran and closed down their embassy in January 2016. Since then a number of initiative have taken place with mediation of third parties, to revive diplomatic ties between the two countries. Pakistan as well offered to play a mediating role between the two and encouraged both friendly countries to improve their relationship for the good of regional and international peace. However, the credit to finally bring the two countries to an agreement has gone to China.
The joint trilateral statement issued on 10 March 2023 gave due credit to the Chinese President in the opening words: “In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighbourly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran…”The announcement and venue of the agreement were also orchestrated carefully with the 14th National People’s Congress to highlight the stature of Xi Jinping domestically as well as internationally.
The international media especially the West are still trying to grapple with implications of the news. While welcoming the news in general, the Western media is seeing it as a setback for Biden Administration and Israel. Netanyahu had openly expressed his desire to develop diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and particularly after the Abraham Accord it was generally felt that Saudi Arabia will soon join the club. However, Saudi Arabia, a longtime ally of the US seemingly slipping closer to two arch enemies of the US is a matter that requires serious reflection in Washington and Tel Aviv. The international community also needs to understand the changing dynamics in international politics and realign their strategies accordingly. Xi Jinping is likely to visit Russia in the coming week and his visit is likely to cause further ripples in international news. In the absence of a leader of international stature in the West, Xi Jinping has emerged as a worthy candidate for global statesmanship.
—The writer is working at Bahria University, Islamabad.
