Saudi Arabia ‘quickly regaining allies’ in past three months

Saudi Arabia is quickly regaining allies following major shifts in international politics in recent months, an article in the New York-based Observer stated this week.

The article noted examples such as Canada, in which Justin Trudeau’s government defended a $15-billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia at a federal court.

The UK was also cited, with British Prime Minister Theresa May recently noting that Saudi Arabia has saved Britain from large-scale terrorist attacks in the past. She also refused to end British arms sales to the kingdom.

Meanwhile, “Saudi Arabia’s relations with other nations in the Muslim world seem to have improved as well,” the article stated, adding that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov “was warmly received by the Deputy Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman” when he visited the kingdom.

Last week, Lebanon’s new President Michel Aoun visited Saudi Arabia to restore ties after relations frayed in recent months over what was described as "Iranian meddling" and control over Lebanon.

Egypt, which the article describes as “hot and cold,” has also made efforts to “de-escalate tensions with the kingdom” with Saudi Arabia being granted control of two islands in the Red Sea by an Egyptian appeals court.

The article also noted that Oman, which has previously had good relations with Iran, has now “joined the Saudi-led coalition against terrorism in a clear sign of warming relations with Riyadh.”