Debate: The West Should Cut Ties With Saudi Arabia

Introduction

The moderator introduces the topic of the debate, "The West should cut ties with Saudi Arabia," and mentions the murder of Jamal Khashoggi as a recent event that brought this issue into sharp focus.

• The debate is about whether or not the West should cut ties with Saudi Arabia.

• Jamal Khashoggi's murder has brought this issue to the forefront.

• Saudi Arabia is a significant player in global politics, economics, and oil markets.

Background on the Issue

The moderator provides more context on why this issue is important and relevant today.

• Millions of people saw Jamal Khashoggi's face during an ad that aired during the Superbowl.

• Saudi Arabia is involved in a devastating war in Yemen.

• There are continuing restrictions on women's rights and repression of dissent in Saudi Arabia.

• Despite these issues, Saudi Arabia carries great political weight across the region and beyond.

Opening Speech for the Motion

Mehdi Hassan makes an impassioned case for cutting ties with Saudi Arabia by highlighting specific cases of human rights abuses committed by the country.

• Loujain al-Hathloul was jailed for trying to drive her car in Saudi Arabia. She was later grabbed on the side of a freeway, put in cuffs, thrown on a private jet, taken back to Saudi Arabia against her will, and held in solitary confinement where she has been beaten waterboarded electrocuted sexually harassed and threatened with rape and murder.

• Israa al-Ghomgham was arrested with her husband for carrying out peaceful protest. She has not been charged or convicted with any acts of violence or even anything resembling recognizable crimes. Yet prosecutors are seeking to behead her to execute her.

• Raef Badawi was sentenced for the crime of apostasy to ten years in prison and a thousand lashes. He hasn't seen his kids for seven years, and his wife says his health has deteriorated in prison.

• Amal Hussein was seven years old when she died from starvation caused by a Saudi-imposed blockade that led to famine in Yemen.

# Conclusion

The debate concludes with questions from the audience and final remarks from the panelists.

• No conclusion provided as this is not included in the transcript.

Demand for Accountability and Justice

In this section, the speaker demands accountability, justice, and an end to impunity for the atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia. The speaker also calls for cutting ties with Saudi Arabia.

Call to Cut Ties with Saudi Arabia

• The West needs to cut its ties with Saudi Arabia, especially military ties, arms sales, weapons exports, and bombs.

• Don't allow yourself to be distracted by the opposition's what-aboutism. Tonight's debate is about Saudi Arabia.

• None of those other countries come close to Saudi Arabia when it comes to dictatorship, women's rights violations, export of extremism and sectarianism, funding of terrorism.

• Opponents may argue that we shouldn't cut any of our ties with Saudi Arabia because of economic reasons or oil. However, these arguments are hyperbole as US exports to Saudi Arabia accounted for only 1.1% in 2017 while British exports accounted for 1.3% in 2016 worldwide.

Absurdity of Asking Saudis to Lead Fight Against Terrorism

• Asking the Saudis to help lead the fight against terrorism is absurd since they helped start it. They are a load on the ground in Yemen right now with al Qaeda; they're working with al Qaeda on the ground according to reporting both by BBC and The Associated Press.

• Two and a half thousand Saudis have signed up with ISIS making them the second-largest source of foreign fighters. Donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding for terrorist groups worldwide.

Why Are We Allied With Such a Kingdom?

In this section, the speaker questions why we are so closely allied with Saudi Arabia and refutes the argument that we need Saudi Arabia against Iran.

Refuting the Argument for Saudi Arabia Against Iran

• Even if you're worried about the threat posed by Iran, note how every step that the Saudis have taken in recent years has helped and empowered Iran.

• The speaker argues that there is a reason why the Algerian novelist Kemal diode famously wrote that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is basically an ISIS.

Standing up to Saudi Arabia

In this section, the speaker argues that it is time for the West to stand up to Saudi Arabia and stop supporting their regime.

Cutting Ties with Saudi Arabia

• The speaker clarifies that cutting ties with Saudi Arabia does not mean bombing or blockading them, but rather treating them as they deserve.

• Cutting ties means no longer supplying them with bombs and no longer covering for them at the United Nations.

• It also means not rolling out the red carpet for Saudi princes when they visit and sending a message that we will not allow them to ignore basic global norms of decency and human rights.

Drawing a Line in the Sand

• The speaker emphasizes that it is time to draw a line in the sand and send a message to Saudi Arabia that we will not allow them to get away with cold-blooded murder or create humanitarian crises.

• It is time to stop treating Saudi Arabia as a friend when they are none of the above.

Against Cutting Ties with Saudi Arabia

In this section, the speaker argues against cutting ties with Saudi Arabia by pointing out flaws in the idea of "the West" acting on behalf of international law.

Issues with "The West"

• The speaker questions whether there is something called "the West" that can act on behalf of international law on behalf of humanity.

• He points out examples where "the West" did not cut ties despite committing atrocities, such as Abu Ghraib prisons.

Introduction of Mamoun Fandy

This section introduces Mamoun Fandy, an expert on the Middle East who will be speaking against cutting ties with Saudi Arabia.

Introduction of Mamoun Fandy

• The speaker introduces Mamoun Fandy as an Egyptian-born expert on the Middle East and author of "Saudi Arabia and the Politics of Dissent."

• He notes that Fandy is the president of a London think-tank and has interests in politics, terrorism, regional security issues, and intelligence squared.

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