نزار مدني يوضح مصالحنا الوطنية ؟!

Dr. Nizar Obeid Madani is not only a seasoned diplomat or an exceptional minister, but he is also a distinguished academic with valuable publications in his field of expertise (Political Science / International Relations). He has combined the practice of diplomacy, serving as an assistant to the Saudi Foreign Minister, with academic research in the field of international relations, where he is unmatched. This is evident in his valuable academic works, resulting from in-depth scientific research, especially concerning his beloved country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His most important works include the following nine books: A Diplomat from Taif, Issues and Positions in Political Thought, The Future: Prospective Reflections, Saud Al-Faisal: His Life and Personality, The Echo of the Word: Speeches and Lectures, Papers from the Bag, Reflections of a Retired Politician, An Introduction to the Study of Saudi Foreign Policy, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Human Rights. Recently, he published a valuable research work compiled in a book titled "Saudi National Interests: From Theory to Practice." We will shed light on the contents of this important and valuable book. I should note that I will write a "Book Review" in one of the journals, analyzing its conclusions scientifically.

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As the title of the book suggests, His Excellency began by theorizing the concept of national interests as defined by the science of international relations. He discussed the theoretical foundation of the concept of national interest (in the first chapter). He then applied that concept to Saudi national interests (the second chapter). In the third chapter, he discusses what he calls Saudi strategic national interests. In the fourth chapter, he talks about Saudi tactical interests. He concludes with a conclusion titled: Towards a New Formulation of Saudi National Interest.

In fact, the organization of this research is distinguished and excellent. The author here starts by defining "national interest" for any state, as defined by political science and international relations. He then divides "Saudi national interest" into two categories: Saudi strategic national interest and Saudi tactical national interest. At the end of his research, he presents important recommendations on what Saudi national interest should be, based on long experience, wise practice, and complete loyalty to his homeland.

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Political science and international relations have determined the most important goals that any state seeks to achieve beyond its borders. The main objectives of foreign policy for any country are divided into two main parts, as follows:

- Real national objectives: as defined by the rulers of the state and the architects of its foreign policies. It is noted that the term "real" refers to excluding fictitious goals or goals that the state may falsely claim to pursue. Some scholars of international relations (realists) condense these objectives (collectively) into one goal, which is (in their view): power, or the struggle for power. Here, "power" refers to all its elements, both material and moral, meaning both hard and soft power.

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An objective analysis of "national interest" (national objectives) clarifies that the most important national objectives derived from this main goal can be summarized as follows:

- Protecting the state's territorial sovereignty and maintaining its national security:

Every state (represented by its government) seeks, of course, first and foremost, to maintain its existence and survival, and to repel any current or anticipated threat that could jeopardize its existence. The existence of the state is linked to its security, meaning that its entity, mode of existence, interests, and values are not threatened. Therefore, maintaining the state's national security is one of the primary objectives that the government seeks to achieve on both local and international levels.

- Developing the state's power capabilities:

This means the government's effort to enhance its elements of hard and soft power to the greatest extent possible, using all available means.

- Supporting the economic well-being of the state:

Almost every country in the world works to support its economic growth and increase its material wealth. Its strength on the international stage, and thus its ability to achieve its goals, depends on several factors, including economic power. Many major countries strive to enrich themselves in various possible ways, even at the expense of less powerful countries, especially developing (weaker) nations.

- Achieving "peace" on the state's terms:

Among the state's objectives may be the imposition of peace in certain areas outside its borders, according to its conditions, which ultimately contributes to enabling the state to achieve the rest of its foreign policy objectives at a lower cost.

As for the true ideological (doctrinal) objectives, they are the actual ideological goals that the state aims to achieve, whether it announces them or conceals them.

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Based on this theorization, His Excellency Dr. Nizar identified the supreme Saudi national interest in the following points:

- Preserving the existence of the state and its survival, protecting its political entity and independence.

- Defending Islam and protecting Islamic sanctities.

- Achieving the highest possible level of development and progress for the state, and of well-being and prosperity for its citizens: the oil and economy syndrome.

As for the "Saudi strategic national interests," the author confined them to the following:

- Strategic national interests related to the southern borders of the Kingdom.

- Strategic national interests related to the northern borders of the Kingdom.

- Strategic national interests related to the eastern borders of the Kingdom.

The "Saudi tactical national interests" are manifested in the following:

- Combating extremism and terrorism.

- The regional dimension of tactical national interests: Arab affiliation.

- The international dimension of tactical national interests: the syndrome of establishing security, peace, and stability at the international level, and the Kingdom's international relations.

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This is an important book, with vital topics that concern researchers and others, and it deserves further study. Therefore, we will have a subsequent engagement with this elevated thought.