Background
After President Trump signed a controversial executive order in January 2017, a travel ban was put in place barring citizens from seven countries with predominantly Muslim populations from entering the United States indefinitely. After numerous court battles, the Trump administration eventually removed Iraq from the list, and the ban now applies mainly to Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and North Korea. Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia, one of the largest and wealthiest countries in the Monotheistic region, is not included in the travel ban.
The reason why Saudi Arabia is not included in the travel ban is generally credited to the country’s close relationship with the United States. For decades, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have had close trade and military ties, and the Saudi government has been an important ally in helping the U.S. combat terrorism. The Trump administration is likely to maintain these ties and refrain from increasing tensions with Saudi Arabia.
Relevant Data
In terms of demographics, most citizens from the countries that are included in the travel ban are majority Muslim, while Saudi Arabia is a majority Sunni country. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has a much higher population than the other countries included in the travel ban, with over 32.15 million people compared to Iran’s 80.8 million.
Economically, the Saudis are a powerful player in the Middle East and the Trump administration recognizes the country’s importance in the political and economic structure of the region. The country is the world’s leading exporter of oil, has a gross domestic product of over $681 billion, and was the 8th largest exporter in the world in 2016.
Perspectives from Experts
Upon the signing of the Executive Order, many experts and activists voiced their concerns regarding the ban, which they called “discriminatory” and “unconstitutional”. When the issue of Saudi Arabia’s exemption came up, many observers argued that the U.S. had a double-standard in its policies and questioned why a country whose government has been accused of human rights violations and violations of international law was not included in the ban.
However, many experts also acknowledged the importance of Saudi Arabia in the international security and economic order. This is because the country’s close ties to the U.S. means it plays an important role in maintaining stability and providing energy resources to the world.
Own Insights and Analysis
Saudi Arabia has been a loyal ally of the United States for many decades and this relationship has been beneficial to both countries. The Trump administration’s decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the travel ban is likely an effort to maintain a strong relationship with the country and avoid damaging any potential ties.
Further, a lot of the countries in the travel ban are majority Muslim countries and excluding Saudi Arabia from the list may be seen as favoring the country mainly due to its proximity to the United States as well as its economic and military power in the region.
While it is understandable that the Trump administration would want to avoid any conflict with Saudi Arabia, many argue that it sends a dangerous message that the United States is willing to overlook certain countries if they are deemed to be of a certain economic and political importance.
Military Assistance
When looking at the issue of why Saudi Arabia is not included in the travel ban, it is important to understand the broader context of the country’s close ties to the US. Saudi Arabia is a key US partner in the war against terrorism, providing a range of assistance such as intelligence-sharing, logistical support, and financial assistance.
The US regards Saudi Arabia as a critical partner in counter-terrorism efforts. Therefore, it is likely that the Trump administration has chosen to exclude the country from the travel ban as part of an effort to maintain its wartime relationship with the Saudis and ensure the continuity of this partnership.
In addition, the US relies on Saudi Arabia for military equipment and services such as refueling planes, air navigation infrastructure, cargo handling, and cargo transport. Therefore, it is likely that the US sees Saudi Arabia as an indispensable ally and is hesitant to include the country in the travel ban for fear of disrupting the supply of necessary materials and disrupting the war effort.
Oil Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia’s role within the US-led counter-terrorism effort is likely not the only factor in the Trump administration’s decision to exclude the country from the travel ban. The country is also a major supplier of oil to the US, and the US relies heavily on the Saudis for their oil supply.
The US is heavily reliant on the production and export of Saudi oil, and it is likely that the US does not want to put this supply at risk. The US also needs to maintain close ties with the Saudis in order to secure its access to the oil market, and this likely played a significant role in the decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the travel ban.
Lastly, the US is aware that Saudi Arabia’s influence in the region is a key factor in keeping the Gulf region stable, and this is likely another consideration in the decision to exclude the country from the travel ban.
Political Impact
Given the ties between Saudi Arabia and the US, and the fact that the US heavily depends on the Saudis for a variety of diplomatic and economic reasons, it is understandable why the country is not included in the travel ban.
However, it should be noted that the exclusion of Saudi Arabia from the travel ban can have significant political implications, both in the US and abroad. For example, many critics of the travel ban argue that by excluding Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration is sending a message that the country and its policies are exempt from scrutiny, even though the country has been accused of human rights violations and has been widely criticized for its support of radical Islamist organizations.
The exclusion of Saudi Arabia from the travel ban may also have negative consequences in terms of US diplomatic credibility, as many countries may view it as a hypocritical decision and further diminish trust in the US.
Human Rights Concerns
While economic and political interests may play a role in the decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the travel ban, the human rights situation in the country is another factor that contributes to the exclusion of Saudi Arabia. The US has been criticized both domestically and internationally for its failure to address human rights concerns in the country, including the ongoing crackdown on dissent.
The US has been accused of turning a blind eye to the Saudi government’s abuses, in part to maintain the country’s geopolitical and economic importance. This is likely a factor in the decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the travel ban, as the US does not want to further antagonize the Saudis or damage its relationship with them by holding them to account for their human rights record.
In conclusion, it is clear that the US government sees Saudi Arabia as an important ally and has chosen to exclude the country from its travel ban for a variety of political and economic reasons. However, this decision has been heavily criticized by many human rights activists and organizations, and it is likely that these concerns will continue to be voiced despite the US government’s silence.
