There has been a quest after the reopening of Diplomatic Relation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Definitely, we need to know and understand what the prospects are in the future following years of tensions.
Recent years, political map in middle east will change when open diplomatic between Saudi Arabi and Iran. Interestingly, there are conditions after King Arab Saudi and President of Iran met, which has encouraged many studies by the experts about this middle east condition.
Smith al Hadar from Indonesia said that there are many studies discussing this condition nexus America, China and several countries. He stated that it is required to know what kind of implication in the economy, military, and politics, and what kind of security in the region related with the reality (KB PII media, March 21, 2023).
The Saudi minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan called the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Hassan Amir Abdullahian exchanged the congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of month Ramadhan, and have agreed to meet during Ramadhan which will soon take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Al Ahram Newsdaily, March, 23, 2023).
There are at least three important points to be discussed in the meeting as follows below:
First, Iran accepts the invitation to visit Saudi Arabia officially after the attack in 2016 following the Saudi execution of Shia cleric, which caused the cut of the relationship between two countries.
Second, Saudi urged to discuss the related influence China battle against America in middle east.
Third, the political map between Saudi and China has become bigger global role after the meeting, which is very significant in the future.
The expected deal between these two countries is to immediately realize the implementation over the economy security cooperation signed 20 years ago.
Finally, the map of global political power in middle east have changed. It is interesting to understand the next implementation of security, politics, and economy. We must have serious intention particularly on China against America. China with the Sea South problem together with Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
In the case of Indonesia, connected problem for Pacific, America shows high interest on Lombok Strait with security under the sea as cover south China Sea region. Since Lombok Strait is particular with its very depth area, it has become something that America wants.
On the other side, Indonesia has been dominant on the area of Malacca Strait, as it is the gate to many countries in Asia and Africa. America sees it as a very important thing. Then, there would be a problem in the future if Indonesia dominates the area.
Indonesia hopes the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran tend use the economy cooperation rather than military composition in the future. It is important for us all. Hopefully for the better.
Jakarta, 25th March 2023
*) Mas’ud is Doctor Lecture Muhammadiyah University Prof. Hamka (UHAMKA) Jakarta
