Alaa Alghamdi

When I was growing up, I was strongly fascinated by the character of His Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz. The way he talked to the American presidents, ambassadors, politicians, businessmen, lawyers, bureaucrats, and TV anchors was truly captivating. He was so confident and charismatic, and in his presence – either literally or metaphorically – you feel the energy around him. The title Prince of Diplomacy is perfectly fitted with him. Prince Bandar was the former head of Saudi intelligence and the kingdom’s former ambassador to the United States. Reading the book, the Prince, I was deeply influenced by the prince’s inspiring personality, the man who was seen as the most influential figure in the United States of America.

Nelson Mandela described prince Bandar saying: “A man of principle, a diplomat of astonishing caliber, and one of the great peacemakers of our time.” The veteran Prince Bandar had an amazing influence over the past two decades as an itinerant international peacemaker who worked working behind the scenes and never pursued public appearance.

Prince Bandar recently made a three-part interview on Al Arabiya TV. He addressed the Saudi people, explaining historical events that had taken place in the last 75 years. He talked in great detail about Saudi Arabia’s historical and honorable stances in supporting the Palestinian cause, and how the Palestinians have a good cause with bad lawyers. He confirmed to the Saudis that the leadership of the kingdom had never failed to support and help the Arab nations as they have participated in all major wars to defend Arab lands (in 1948, 1967 and 1973).

I admire Prince Bandar because he is a distinguished man with a charming and eloquent personality, yet he is humble and down to earth. His extraordinary ability to win the respect and confidence of world leaders enabled him to serve his government in many missions. His role in building the coalition to resist Saddam Hussein’s occupation of Kuwait in 1990 is noteworthy.

Margret Thatcher, former Britain’s prime minister, described the prince as someone who made events rather than waiting for them to happen as he played a central role in the relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States in addition to the United Kingdom. Prince Bandar has an aura that attracts people and it is evident to many that in the 23 years that he was an ambassador to the United States, he became the main bridge between the Middle East and Washington and its five presidents during this period. He was a reference for them in matters related to Saudi Arabia. He was in the focus of Washington’s attention as a dominant diplomatic figure deeply rooted in Washington’s decision-making processes.

The timing of the three-part interview with the prince is perfect. He demonstrated the petty allegation of the Iranian and Qatari media, Al-Jazeera and al-Manar, the Turkish president’s lies, and the really size of the Qatari government that feeds terrorism and chaos across the whole region.

As Prince Bandar has said, we the Saudi people are so proud of our leadership. We absolutely believe in King Salman and the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s ability to keep protecting this great land and its people’s interests.