Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

THE PRINCE OF WALES: SAY A PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

We will all be poorer if a tradition dating back 2,000 years is
allowed to disappear

An Iraqi Kildani Christian attends a Mass in Baghdad, Iraq – today,
the Middle East and North Africa have the lowest concentration of
Christians in the world Photo: EPA

By HRH The Prince of Wales

8:19PM GMT 18 Dec 2013

I have for some time now been deeply troubled by the growing
difficulties faced by Christian communities in various parts of the
Middle East. It seems to me that we cannot ignore the fact that they
are, increasingly, being deliberately targeted by fundamentalist
Islamist militants. Christianity was, literally, born in that part
of the world and we must not forget our Middle Eastern brothers and
sisters in Christ. Their church communities link us straight back to
the early Church, as I was reminded by hearing Aramaic, Our Lord’s
own language, spoken and sung in visits to churches earlier this week.

Yet, today, the Middle East and North Africa has the lowest
concentration of Christians in the world – just 4 per cent of the
population. It is clear that the number has dropped dramatically over
the last century, and is falling still further.

This has an effect on all of us, although, of course, primarily on
those Christians who can no longer continue to live in the Middle East:
we all lose something immensely and irreplaceably precious when such
a rich tradition – dating back 2,000 years – begins to disappear.

It comprises a rich panoply of church life, including the Antiochian,
Greek, Coptic, Syrian and Armenian Orthodox Churches, the Melkite,
Maronite, Syrian Catholic, Chaldean and Roman Catholic Churches,
as well as the Church of the East, and Churches established, dare I
say it, somewhat more recently, including the Anglican Church.

In saying all this about the difficulties facing these Christian
churches I am, of course, conscious that they are not the only faith
community in this region suffering at the moment. Nor is the Middle
East the only part of the world in which Christians are suffering.

But, given the particularly acute circumstances they face, I feel it
worthwhile to draw attention to their current plight. It is important
to note, above all, that the decline of Christians in the region
represents a major blow to peace, as they are part of the fabric of
society, often acting as bridge-builders between other communities.

This crucial role throughout Middle Eastern society is one recognised
by many Muslims (who are not extremists) both Shia or Sunni, who
attest to the fact that Christians are their friends and that their
communities are needed.

Jordan has set a wonderful example in this regard and, as my wife and I
saw for ourselves during our visit earlier this year, has again taken
in a huge number of refugees, this time from Syria during the present
troubles. Moreover, under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership,
Jordan is a most heartening and courageous witness to the fruitful
tolerance and respect between faith communities.

For 20 years, I have tried to build bridges between Islam and
Christianity and to dispel ignorance and misunderstanding. The point
though, surely, is that we have now reached a crisis where the bridges
are rapidly being deliberately destroyed by those with a vested
interest in doing so – and this is achieved through intimidation,
false accusation and organised persecution – including of Christian
communities.

Let us remember we are talking about Arab Christians – Syrian, Iraqi,
Palestinian, Egyptian and Saudi Christians, as well as those from
other Arab countries and from Iran – not Western Christians living
in the Middle East.

Now is the time to redouble our combined efforts to stress what binds
the three Abrahamic faiths together and, as Christians, Jews and
Muslims, to express outrage at what tears us asunder. Surely there is
no better time to do so than at Christmas – to remind all of us that
an emphasis on love of our neighbours and doing to others as we would
have them do to us are the ultimate foundations of truth, justice,
compassion and human rights. Such profound wisdom is at the very heart
of all three religions, however obscured the message may have become.

My prayer at this time is for all beleaguered communities and I believe
that Western Christians ought to pray earnestly for fellow-believers in
the Middle East. I am reminded that Tuesday in the Eastern Christian
calendar was the festival of Daniel and the three boys in the fiery
furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They symbolise all those
who are persecuted for their faith. But the important point is:
they survived.

This is an edited version of an address given to religious leaders
at Clarence House. Earlier this week the Prince of Wales and Prince
Ghazi of Jordan visited the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Stevenage
and the Syrian Orthodox Church in London. Prince Ghazi of Jordan is
chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs to the King of Jordan

From: Baghdasarian

DOES CSTO TEND TO BECOME A SERIOUS STRUCTURE?

December 19 2013

“I think that the fact that the Russian side accepted our proposal
was very important, symbolic and also very telling, and that the two
heads of state during the visit to Gyumri jointly visited the 102nd
military base deployed in Gyumri. Of course, you know that pursuant
to the protocol, with which the deployment of the base in Armenia was
extended, removed the restriction that was mentioned in the previous
agreement, which provided that the base can be used for available
dangers only along the former outer borders of the Soviet Union. In
other word, the mandate of the military base was expanded, and I think
that in this context it is very important for us that the base be very
topical and capable, and that the military servants there have high
combat readiness,” said Vigen Sargsyan, RA President’s Chief of Staff,
summing up Russian President’s visit, a day after the visit. Though,
since the existence of the agreement on deployment of Russia’s military
bases in Armenia, the issue was explained and covered in detail,
however, Aravot.am tried once again to clarify whether there are
loopholes in the new phase of the Armenian-Russian military-technical
cooperation, with which Russian troops obtain the opportunity to
intervene in the internal affairs of Armenia. Tevan Poghosyan,
a member of RA NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs, with regard to this issue, in response to our
question, said, “The matter is that if earlier the military base was
used for the former Soviet Union, in other word, the Armenian-Turkish
border, and also, to some extent, for Armenia -Iran border, now this
notion is removed. This does not mean that the military base will be
employed, if the risks exist, the military base would make its actions
accordingly.” Our interlocutor draws attention to the fact that both
Russia and Armenia are CSTO member states, and there is the notion of
“CSTO states borders”. “For example, the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
in Tavush marz: it is a CSTO border.

Armenia-Nakhichevan border is also a CSTO border, and if there will be
dangers there, not only Russian military base would be employed, but it
is necessary to respond to these issues with CSTO joint efforts. It is
clear that today we are probably talking about a little hypothetical
scenario, but if CSTO intends to become a serious, it must develop
its capacity, and approach the issues with conscience of the concept
of the problem.” Our interlocutor considers the development of CSTO
a daily issue for this very institution, and, in this context, he
thinks that that these forces may protect not only the boundaries of
the former Soviet Union, but, for example, other borders of Armenia,
also within the frames of CSTO boundaries. The above formulations,
as convinced by our interlocutor, are not associated with internal
issues of Armenia. “The matter is about Armenia defense functions.” As
for interfering in the internal issues of Armenia, Tevan Poghosyan
thinks that it depends on us, and has nothing to do with the existence
of any military base in our outer borders. RA NA Vice-speaker Edward
Sharmazanov does not also see such concerns. He considers all such
opinions imaginary.

Nelly Grigoryan

Read more at:

From: Baghdasarian

ECHR’S VERDICT GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR RACIAL INTOLERANCE: TURKOLOGIST

10:24, 19 December, 2013

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Notwithstanding the verdict of the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) made on December 17, according to
which the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Workers’ Party (Ä°P)
Chairman Dogu Perincek is not a crime, will have a negative impact, it
should not disappoint the Armenian side and lobbying organizations to
continue the activity aimed not merely at the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, but the ratification of laws criminalizing
the denial of the Armenian Genocide, as well. In a conversation
with “Armenpress” the Director of Institute of Oriental Sciences of
the National Academy of the Republic of Armenia, turkologist Ruben
Safrastyan stated this.

Previously it was reported that the Armenian Cause French Office and
the Armenian National Committee of Europe issued a statement, which
in particular runs as follows: “The court’s verdict is extremely
dangerous and provides direct support to the stream of denialism in
Europe orchestrated by Ankara and Baku and paves an additional way
for them. This infamous decision of the European Court transgresses
the right to dignity of the Armenian Genocide victims and their
descendants.”

© 2009 ARMENPRESS.am

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REPARATIONS DISCUSSED AT THE WORLD FORUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Director of CNA Buenos Aires, Carolina Karagueuzian, speaks at the
World Forum on Human Rights in Brasilia, Brazil

BRASILIA–The Armenian National Committee of South America (CNA)
participated in the World Forum on Human Rights (FMDH) from 10 to 13
December in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.

Carolina Karagueuzian, director of CNA Buenos Aires and Attorney
Guillermo Ferraioli Karamanian made a presentation entitled “Armenian
Genocide: a comparative study of genocidal processes of the twentieth
century” where they discussed the Armenian Genocide from a social
and historical perspective. The issue of reparations was one of the
central themes of the dissertation.

“Turkey must return territories to Armenia, according to the terms
issued by the President of the United States Woodrow Wilson on November
22, 1920â~@³ said Ferraioli Karamanian, referring to the Treaty of
Sèvres and the Wilsonian Armenia.

“The one and a half million victims of genocide were a permanent
material damage against the Armenian people. This damage has not yet
been offset by fair reparation. Such repair must address both the
lives lost and the appropriation of property by the State and the
members of the Turkish elite”, said Karagueuzian.

In the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Human Rights of Brazil
Patricia Barcelos announced that Argentina will host the FMDH in 2015.

The FMDH aims to promote an environment for public debate about
human rights, focusing on the respect to differences, on social
participation, on inequalities reduction and on the confrontation
of all human rights’ violations. According to a press release from
the FMDH, “more than 500 activities were held in the Forum, with
the participation of the President of the Republic, Dilma Rousseff,
former president Lula, the vice president of Colombia, the Executive
Secretary, Patricia Barcelos, and National Secretaries of SDH/PR,
among other authorities. Over 9 thousand participants showed up”.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM OF AMERICA ENTERS ‘MAJOR LEAGUE’ WITH NEW NAME

GateHouse Media New England
Posted Dec 18, 2013 @ 03:51 PM

WATERTOWN –

As of Christmas Eve, Santa Claus bestowed upon the Armenian Library
and Museum of America its new name, “Armenian Museum of America Inc.,”
in recognition of its rise as a major museum.

The words, “Armenian” and “America,” remain in the title because the
museum is for all and belongs to all. By this change, this institution
will be known for its role as the largest Armenian museum outside
of Armenia.

In 1996, Dr James Russell, the Mashdots professor of Armenian studies
at Harvard University, wrote, in part, describing ALMA’s collections,
“Over all, it is perhaps the most important Armenian museum collection
after the Armenian State Historical Museum in Yerevan and the
collections of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Israel.”

By then, the museum was a shining beacon and its holdings had
multiplied, including major collections from the Bedoukian families,
numerous inscribed Armenian rugs from the late Arthur T. Gregorian,
Kutahya tiles from the Karabians, among many other gifts donated to
build the collections.

Since 1996, its holdings have multiplied. In the past four years, it
has acquired the Yousuf Karsh collection of photographic portraiture,
post-Soviet Armenian paintings from the Norton Dodge collection,
the Berj Garabedian Metal Arts collection, the Almasian Family Map
collection, and numerous other accessions. Its holdings exceed 20,000
objects and is buttressed and enhanced by its ever-growing Mesrop
Boyajian Research Library, now with more than 27,000 titles.

In addition, the museum has created travel exhibits for display
anywhere from coast to coast. Its three major travel exhibits are,
respectively, “Who Are the Armenians,” the “Gamavor Exhibit” and the
“The Ongoing Armenian Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration.” The
Gamavor Exhibit is being translated so as to be able to be shown in
France. The travel Genocide Exhibit was shown primarily in various
non-Armenian sites including an eight-month showing at the Virginia
Holocaust Museum, the third largest such museum in the United States.

That Holocaust Museum was impressed sufficiently as to seek to develop
its own permanent Armenian Genocide Exhibit.

Read more: Armenian Library and Museum of America enters
‘major league’ with new name – Watertown, MA – Watertown TAB

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA OR AZERBAIJAN?

Star (in Turkish), Turkey
Dec 15 2013

Commentary by Sedat Laciner

In the last 10 years, Turkey destroyed many taboos. It sought more
democratic and normal relations in all fields. One of these fields is
the Armenian problem. Even though the new Turkey covered significant
distance in its efforts to destroy the Armenian taboo, this progress
could not be crowned with the normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations.

Extraordinary efforts were made to normalize the relations between
the two countries. These efforts resulted in the signing of a joint
protocol in 2009. Had the protocol signed by Armenian Foreign Minister
Edvard Nalbandyan and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in
Zurich been approved, the Turkish-Armenian border which has been
closed for years would have been opened and relations would have
been normalized. Armenia, however, did not approve the agreement and,
in Turkey, the protocol failed to even make it to the Assembly agenda.

When Foreign Minister Davutoglu went to Armenia last week for the
Yerevan summit of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization,
there was a new flicker of hope about the relations, and certain
commentators found the visit encouraging. However, the meeting between
the two ministers was cold and short.

At this point, it is possible to talk about two factors that prevent
the normalization of the bilateral relations: One is Azerbaijan,
and the other is Russia. Unless it overcomes these two obstacles,
Turkey will not be able to improve its ties with Armenia

Azerbaijan

Currently, one fifth of Azerbaijan’s territory is under Armenian
occupation. Not only Nagorno-Karabakh but cities between
Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian border are under occupation,
and Armenia views leaving these lands as equivalent to death. If
Turkey fails to see this situation, if it abandons Baku and improves
its ties with Armenia, if, for example, it reopens its borders with
Armenia which it had closed in support for Azerbaijan, then it will
lose Azerbaijan. Compared to Armenia, Azerbaijan is a very important
country that Turkey cannot afford to lose.

In addition to undeniable blood ties, Azerbaijan is Turkey’s strategic
energy partner with its oil and gas resources. While Armenia has almost
no economic value as a market or producer, with its investments in
recent years, the Azerbaijani economy has become one of the important
partners of the Turkish economy. One must add to all this the strategic
partnership in the Caucasus against Iran and Russia.

Actually, the 2009 protocols carried a very heavy price tag for
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. The problems in those ties were
alleviated only when the negotiation process with Armenia began to
collapse. In short, Turkey does not have the possibility to improve
its ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan at the same time.

Russia

The second significant obstacle is Russia. Armenia is like Russia’s
outpost in the Caucasus. Due to the Armenian problem, Russia is able to
have military bases in that country. In fact, Armenia’s borders with
Turkey and Iran are protected by Russian troops. Solving the problems
among Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia means the collapse of Russia’s
south Caucasus policies. Therefore, no matter how peaceful a language
it uses, Russia is an actor that does not see its interests in peace.

Naturally, Armenia is also an important obstacle before the improvement
of its ties with Turkey. Armenia defends Azerbaijan’s occupation till
the end. In fact, Armenian politicians go even further and demand land
from Turkey. Even if Armenia’s irredentist dreams are not realistic,
they cause anxiety among the Turks.

In summary, there is nothing new in the Armenian front. On the other
hand, Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are continuing to develop fast.

[Translated from Turkish]

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA ADOPTS ABSURD BUDGET FOR 2014

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 18 2013

18 December 2013 – 12:02pm

David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The parliament of Armenia adopted a draft of the state budget 2014
– 70 votes “for,” 40 votes “against,” and 1 vote “abstain.” It is
planned that revenues will be 1 135 billion drams; expenditures – 1
245 billion drams; budget deficit – 110 billion drams, or 2.3% of GDP;
deficit of current balance – 8.6%. The budget requires the real growth
of GDP by 5.8%; average inflation – 5.5%; 12-month inflation – 4.5%.

The budget was adopted due to the Republic majority and its satellites
from Orinats Erkir.

Prosperous Armenia, Dashmaktsutyun, Heritage, and Armenian National
Congress didn’t approve the budget.

The authorities trying to explain “magnificence” of the budget 2014
made several absurd arguments, as always. For example, the allocation
of ridiculous sums ($1.4 million) to encouragement of industry within
the Strategy of Export-Oriented Industrial Policy is presented as a
significant factor for development of economy. The republicans from
the mouth of Ermine Nagdalyan’s “took responsibility” and voted for
“the budget of development” aimed at vital settlement of challenges
which the state and society face. Nagdalyan promised once again that
the significant growth of tax revenues in 2014 wouldn’t take place
in the context of increasing tax burden. “The growth of tax revenues
by 9.96%, or 102.8 billion drams, will be provided due to struggle
against the shadow segment of economy and corruption and due to the
economic growth,” the vice-speaker of the parliament said.

Premier Tigran Sarkisyan is up to his old games again. He stated that
the Defined Contribution Pension System required by the budget is
“fair and has no alternatives, and it should be launched as soon
as possible.” Continuing indignation and mass protests against the
system were rejected by Premier, but he was glad that the civil society
improves and the pension reform will double in strength in 4 years.

After this statement, economist Artsvik Minasyan from Dashnaktsutyun
suggested the Premier should wake up and left the session, saying:
“See you in the Constitutional Court.”

Nikol Pashinyan, an MP from ANC, recalled the President’s statement
made on March 18th, 2013, that the government should resign if it fails
to provide 7-per-cent growth of GDP . Pashinyan proposed the government
to do it immediately as the budget requires the economic growth by
5.8% only. It seems that considering words by the minister of finances
David Sarkisyan who believes that the statement was “political”, the
government has no intention to fulfill presidential recommendations.

The statement and the whole absurd budget 2014 didn’t surprise Naira
Zograbyan, MP from Prosperous Armenia. She thinks that the minister
of finances meant that Premier doesn’t have to make conclusions from
a serious political statement by President. Zograbyan says that the
budget is based on disinformation and is not even able to provide
for minimal necessities of citizens.

From: Baghdasarian

EUROPEAN COURT BACKS RIGHT TO DENY ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS FRANCE PREPARES NEW LAW

RFI (English), France
December 17, 2013 Tuesday

Prosecutions for denying that massacres of Armenians in Turkey during
World War I were genocide are an attack on freedom of expression,
the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Tuesday.

“The free exercise of the right to openly debate sensitive questions
that are likely to displease somone is a fundamental aspect of freedom
of expression,” the judges at the Strasbourg court declared in a
ruling against Switzerland in a case brought by a Turkish left-winger.

In 2007 a court in the Swiss city of Lausanne found Dogu Pernicek,
the leader of the left nationalist Turkish Workers’ Party, guilty of
“denying the Armenian genocide for racist motives” in three speeches
in Switzerland.

While not denying that thousands were killed in 1915, Pernicek denied
that the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Turkey at the time, had genocidal
intentions and called the claim “an international lie”.

The Lausanne court found that his intention was not to hold a
historical debate since the facts of the 1915 Armenian genocide were
common knowledge.

Denying, belittling or justifying genocide is a violation of
Switzerland’s anti-racism laws.

The ECHR declared that it was not their role to judge how serious the
massacres were or whether they constituted genocide but recognised
that there was not unanimous consensus on the question.

Pernicek did not question the reality of the massacres or deportations
of Armenians during World War I, it said, and did not express contempt
for their victims.

The European judges drew a distinction between the Armenian massacres
and the Nazi holocaust of Jews, arguing that historical evidence,
such as the gas chambers, shows a genocidal intent, which has been
recognised by international jurisdiction.

Switzerland has three months to appeal, although the court is not
obliged to allow one.

The judgement came as France’s Le Monde newspaper reported that the
French government will present a law banning denial of the Armenian
genocide, an election pledge of President Francois Hollande, to
parliament within the next few months.

An official announcement is unlikely until after Hollande has visited
Turkey next month but may well be made when he visits Armenia in May,
according to Franco-Armenian groups.

That would make it possible for it to be passed on the anniversary
of the beginning of the slaughter in April 2015.

France’s Constitutional Council ruled a previous law, which enraged
Turkey, passed in 2011, unconstitutional.

From: Baghdasarian

SHERMAN STATEMENT ON KILLING OF ARMENIAN SOLDIER BY AZERI FORCES

Congressional Documents and Publications
December 17, 2013

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) News Release

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 — Rep. Brad Sherman issued the following
statement:

Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) released the following statement
on the unprovoked killing of an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan,
by Azerbaijani forces along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan has yet again shown that it is not serious about
establishing peaceful relations with Armenia and Artsakh. Despite
the request for a ceasefire during the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azeri forces have killed an Armenian solider,
Hrant Poghosyan. The shooting was unprovoked and Armenian forces have
respected the request for a ceasefire.

“Azerbaijan’s actions continue to harm the cause of peace. Last year,
Azerbaijan celebrated a murderer, Ramil Safarov, who violently killed
an Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise.

Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for this latest
display of violence towards Armenia and lack of respect for the
OSCE’s settlement negotiations. I will continue to stand by Artsakh
and Armenia in their ongoing quest for peace and security.”

Read this original document at:

From: Baghdasarian

IRAN IS WEAKER THAN IT APPEARS AND SAUDI ARABIA IS STRONGER THAN IT THINKS; A SENSE OF THREAT IS SOMETIMES USEFUL

Al-Hayat (in Arabic), Lebanon
Dec 16 2013

by Sa’ud Kabili

The Gulf media panicked after Iran and the five-plus-one countries
signed an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Perhaps that feeling
reflected the Gulf political mood, with the Gulf states seeing the
agreement as a sign that the United States is redrawing the regional
map on new power bases where Iran will emerge as the key player thanks
to the cards of power it possesses, from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon
to regions in the Gulf, Yemen, and Sudan. From a Gulf perspective,
the agreement paves the way for US-Iranian rapprochement in a way
that gives Iran a new regional role similar to the role it played in
the past as “the policeman of the Gulf.”

Saudi Arabia and Iran represent the two rival camps in the region. It
must be acknowledged, therefore, that the expected US-Iranian
rapprochement will directly affect the kingdom’s interests, as it
will advance Iran as a regional power at Riyadh’s expense. There are
various analyses on how this will affect the kingdom or its future
relations with the United States amid the current regional shifts. But
the more important question that has still not been asked is: Where
and how did Saudi Arabia lose its opportunities on this issue, and
how should we act today?

I believe it is easy to blame international forces for this situation.

But we must be brave enough to engage in some self-criticism. The
real problem lies in the lack of a Saudi political plan for the region.

Seeking to maintain the political status quo in the region is not a
plan; rather, it is political reaction. Iran won its cards in the
region not only through its groups and militias, but also through
a clear political plan based on an ideology, political geography,
and activities based essentially on equality with the other countries.

Iran, for example, gained a huge experience from its negotiations with
the world and from its sense that it is threatened. It managed to win
cards through its challenge, in the region, to the big powers. This
is something that we perhaps should carefully examine to benefit from.

Sometimes a sense of danger and challenge might be useful to countries
because it unleashes their political potential.

In its political plan, Iran does not rely only on the idea of Shiism.

It is in alliance with Christian Armenia against Shi’i Muslim
Azerbaijan. Iran adopts a political, economic, and social system,
from the cultural base – films and arts – to a diversified industrial
base – car industry and Iranian missiles – to a political base –
promoting itself as a regional power capable of imposing its influence
in the region.

Yet the situation must be evaluated with further objectivity. Saudi
Arabia did not fail to find a regional alternative to compensate for
the absence of its plan. Just like Iran, and perhaps more successfully,
it showed political confidence, as evident, for example, in the
decision to send Al-Jazeera Shield forces to Bahrain, or in its role
in Syria, or in its recent support for Egypt despite the lack of
international support in all those cases. This makes analysts of the
Saudi policy genuinely ask why Saudi Arabia is not decisive in setting
out a comprehensive vision and a clear political plan for the region.

At the end of the day, Saudi Arabia is not a weak country. It is not
unable to confront its regional rivals, whoever they might be. In fact,
Iran is weaker that it appears and Saudi Arabia is stronger than it
thinks. What the kingdom lacks is a political plan in the region.

Such a plan would turn Saudi Arabia into a regional player seeking
to impose a vision, not just to react to the events in the region.

Any political plan stands on three pillars: political, economic,
and social. We in the kingdom desperately need a serious and frank
dialogue on how our political plan should be. With all these huge
challenges in the region, which affect the future of the state,
we cannot just remain captives to marginal issues, whether social,
like women driving cars, or economic, like the housing crisis, or
delay addressing key issues like educational reform and the launch
of economic development by diversifying the industrial base.

The Saudi political vision about the region must also be clear, not
only with regard to important issues like Syria, but also with regard
to the shape of the region as a whole. Iraq is the best example. Our
vision regarding Iraq is still limited to the factors of the sectarian
conflict in that country; we are not considering factors related to
Iraq’s larger role in the region and how we would like this role to
be in the future.

A sense of threat might be useful sometimes. That we feel threatened
by the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the international
forces might be useful, as it draws our attention to the need to work
to come up with a clear plan for the region and promote and market it
to other countries. It might also increase our self-confidence. This,
in fact, is what we desperately need.

From: Baghdasarian