��������

It may be a coincidence, but history rarely writes itself without purpose. Next week’s meeting in Washington between Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald J. Trump falls 80 years after the seminal 1945 encounter between King Abdulaziz and President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the USS Quincy. That meeting laid the foundation for a strategic partnership that has endured wars, oil shocks and political transitions.

The parallels between then and now are striking — and significant.

In 1945, the world was emerging from the ashes of the Second World War. The US was poised to become a global superpower. ��������, under King Abdulaziz, had just unified its territories and was beginning to build its modern state. The USS Quincy summit focused mainly on two pillars: security for the Kingdom and oil for America. The summit came just over a decade after the birth of Saudi Aramco — a joint venture that evolved into the world’s largest oil company. Though now fully Saudi-owned, the American contribution to its success remains undeniable.

Today, we stand on the cusp of a new chapter — one that could multiply the Aramco success story exponentially.

The relationship is no longer confined to oil and security. Nuclear cooperation, space exploration, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are now on the table. This is not just a bilateral upgrade — it is a strategic leap. The timing could not be more surreal: Vision 2030 and Make America Great Again are aligned in ambition, scope and urgency.

Today, we stand on the cusp of a new chapter — one that could multiply the Aramco success story exponentially.

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

�������� is no longer the oil-dependent economy of the past. The Kingdom is unlocking its full potential across tourism, healthcare, mining and tech. American companies have a golden opportunity to be the first movers in many of these sectors — and reap the rewards of early investment, knowledge transfer and cooperation.

Furthermore, the bold reforms introduced over the past decade mean that any concerns some might have had over doing business in �������� are no longer relevant. And while we are far from being perfect, nobody in their right mind can deny —  if they are fair — the quantum leaps that have happened in areas such as women’s empowerment, the removal of barriers to entry and bureaucratic procedures, as well as the improvement in the quality of life for both residents and citizens of ��������.

President Trump, known for his “art of the deal,” is not one to let bureaucracy stifle progress. His administration’s openness to fair competition means American firms can engage without being hamstrung by red tape. This is good news for both sides — and for global investors watching closely.

Yet, security remains paramount. The region is volatile. Rogue actors persist. The recent Israeli strike on Qatari territory — which hosts the region’s largest US military base — underscores the urgency of a robust defense framework. ��������, preparing to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, must secure its borders, airspace and waters. A written defense treaty is not just desirable — it is essential.

From a Saudi perspective, the scars of Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure remain fresh. The Biden administration’s early decision to delist the Houthis as a terrorist organization and the 2022 withdrawal of Patriot missile batteries was met with concern. Yet, by the end of President Joe Biden’s term, negotiations for a historic defense treaty were nearly complete. This visit offers a chance to finalize that pact — and ensure such atrocities never happen again.

The Saudi-US relationship has weathered storms.

From defeating communism to liberating Kuwait, both nations have collaborated on global challenges. Despite political shifts between Republicans and Democrats, the strategic value of �������� has remained constant. It is not a cash machine — it is a stabilizing force. As custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, the region’s largest economy and a key player in global oil markets, �������� is indispensable to US interests.

The recent Israeli strike on Qatari territory — which hosts the region’s largest US military base — underscores the urgency of a robust defense framework.

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

Saudi diplomacy is also evolving. The Kingdom has pushed for a two-state solution in Palestine, condemned atrocities in Gaza and facilitated negotiations in Sudan, Ukraine and Syria. Its humanitarian aid and development contributions are generous and consistent. Riyadh is no longer just a regional actor — it is a global mediator.

The US needs a partner that commands respect in the region. �������� fits that role. Whether it is lifting sanctions or brokering peace, American policymakers know that Riyadh’s guarantees carry weight. The emergence of a new Syria — after decades of turmoil — is testament to that influence.

This visit is not ceremonial. It is consequential. If Israel is ready to commit to a serious path toward Palestinian statehood, it could join what the crown prince calls “the new Europe” — a region of integration, cooperation and shared prosperity. The stakes are high. The opportunity is rare. And the moment is now.

Let us hope that Nov. 18, 2025, becomes another date etched in history — not just as a commemoration of the past but as a launchpad for the future.

• Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas