New Saudi FM Appointed to ‘Balance Out Recklessness' of MBS over Khashoggi Case

“Adel al-Juebeir is being made into the fall guy for the Khashoggi murder. Ibrahim al-Assaf is being brought in as his replacement because he is older and gives the appearance of balancing out the recklessness of the young Mohammad bin Salman,” E. Michael Jones, a political analyst in the US state of Indiana, told Tasnim.

Eugene Michael Jones is an American writer, former professor, media commentator and the current editor of Culture Wars magazine.

Following is the full text of the interview.

Tasnim: As you know, Saudi Arabia's King Salman has appointed a new foreign minister as part of a major cabinet reshuffle. Why do you think the royal family decided to demote Adel al-Jubeir to the position of minister of state for foreign affairs and name Ibrahim al-Assaf as his replacement?

Jones: Adel al-Juebeir is being made into the fall guy for the Khashoggi murder. Ibrahim al-Assaf is being brought in as his replacement because he is older and gives the appearance of balancing out the recklessness of the young Mohammad bin Salman.

Tasnim: Arab states are preparing to restore their presence in Syria after years of absence following the outbreak of a foreign-sponsored conflict more than seven years ago, with Bahrain being the next in the line of countries to reopen its embassy in Damascus. On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates officially reopened its embassy in Damascus. Why are the Arab nations that once were supporters of militants in Syria trying to restore ties with Damascus?

Jones: This is simply a recognition that ISIS (Daesh) has lost the war against (Syrian President Bashar) Assad.

Tasnim: The reshuffle in the Saudi cabinet as well the reopening of embassies in Damascus came after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the US troops from Syria on Wednesday, asserting that the Daesh terror group had been defeated. What do you think? Do you think a new plot is on the way?

Jones: Shortly after announcing the troop withdrawal from Syria, Trump flew to Iraq, where he said that country was going to be used as a staging area for military operations in the region. So it looks as if the troop withdrawal is a cost-cutting move and an admission of defeat in Syria but not a change in policy in the Middle East. Supporting that view is the fact that Trump re-iterated his support for Israel on the flight back to Washington. Trump's foreign policy seems to be driven by financial considerations more than anything else.

Tasnim: Experts argue that it is very clear that Washington’s rage for global dominance and its imperial agenda for colonizing planet earth will remain unchanged. Do you believe so?

Jones: Yes, Trump is trying to come with a cheaper version of the American empire.