Prince Turki Al-Faisal Pinpoints Israel as West Asia's Core Instability
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, a prominent Saudi royal and former intelligence chief, recently delivered a striking address at the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi. During his remarks, made between December 5-7, 2025, Prince Turki asserted that Israel, rather than Iran, constitutes the main source of instability in West Asia. He called for the United States to 'rein in' Israel's actions in the region.
Accusations of Destabilizing Actions Against Israel
Prince Turki Al-Faisal elaborated on his assessment by pointing to a series of Israeli military operations. He specifically cited 'continued attacks in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria' as evidence of Israel's destabilizing role. He also referenced an 'Israeli strike in Doha that targeted Hamas negotiators' during ceasefire discussions, describing it as a 'warning sign' that underscores the need for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unity and collective defense. According to Prince Turki, these actions demonstrate that Israel is 'not contributing to peace in the region.'
Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Ambitions Tied to Regional Dynamics
In a significant statement regarding regional security, Prince Turki Al-Faisal suggested that Saudi Arabia should 'seriously explore' developing nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire them. He underscored this by noting that the region already hosts a nuclear-armed state—Israel—a fact he claimed 'no one talks about.' This position echoes previous declarations from Saudi leadership. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would 'follow suit as soon as possible.' Similarly, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir has indicated that nuclear armament would be 'definitely an option' for the Kingdom under such circumstances.
While Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and officially advocates for a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East, its officials have consistently maintained the right to match Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Shifting Perceptions of Regional Threats
Prince Turki Al-Faisal's remarks also touched upon the evolving threat landscape in West Asia. He argued that Iran's regional influence has diminished following events such as the 'weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon' and 'changes in Syria.' He contrasted this with Israel's ongoing military activities, which he views as the more pressing concern for regional stability. Furthermore, Prince Turki has previously criticized what he perceives as a 'double standard' in U.S. policy, where Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal is overlooked while Iran's nuclear ambitions face intense scrutiny.
5 Comments
Leonardo
It's about time someone called out the hypocrisy regarding Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons.
KittyKat
The call for the US to rein in Israel has merit, as unchecked actions can be problematic; however, the US also has critical security interests in supporting allies against other regional threats. It's a difficult balancing act.
Eugene Alta
Saudi Arabia has every right to consider nuclear options if Israel already possesses them. Fair is fair.
Africa
Prince Turki highlights a valid point about the double standard regarding nuclear capabilities in the region, but Saudi nuclear armament would undoubtedly provoke a dangerous arms race. De-escalation should be the priority.
Bermudez
Prince Turki is absolutely right; the US needs to stop enabling Israel's destabilizing actions.