In the home of the Oracle, the future is anyone’s guess

Trump, tariffs, and trust dominated the 10th Delphi Economic Forum in Greece which concluded on Friday.
Since taking office last January, US President Donald Trump has left world leaders, economists, and political analysts struggling to predict the future. After all, the case was — and very much still is — that when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. One only has to imagine how friends and foes alike are rushing to think tanks, analysts, and lobbyists to try to decipher the announcements and executive orders coming out of Washington on a daily basis.
It is, therefore, perhaps fitting that a large number of the global elite gathered at a mountain town believed by ancient Greeks to be the home of the Oracle. Legend has it that Delphi was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the mythical Greek figure Apollo. Developed in the eighth century B.C., the sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi, known throughout the ancient world for predicting the future.
Opening the Delphi Economic Forum, Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas did not mince his words, saying that his country “supports transatlantic ties, while it contributes to efforts for its strategic autonomy, and the de-escalation of the trade war that is harmful to everyone, always advocating for a unified European policy.”

All things considered, you don’t need the Oracle to tell you that all roads lead to Riyadh

Faisal J. Abbas

As he noted, “in an era in which global upheavals and radical changes are already apparent in both geopolitics and geoeconomics, with a pre-war-style imposition of intense protectionism that is disrupting and worsening the post-war global free economic system, our country is called upon to walk on familiar and tried-and-tested paths.”
Many questions were raised about Ukraine, whether it would be abandoned, and in the absence of the Russian narrative, most people were left wondering what comes next. Well, the answer might emerge soon from Saudi Arabia if the peace talks succeed.

In fact, Saudi Arabia was the only other topic that competed with Trump, and not just in the context of Ukraine. When it comes to stabilizing energy prices and ending the war in Gaza, all hopes are on the solutions that may come out of Riyadh.
This is thanks to the Kingdom’s foreign policy, which has pursued a fine balancing act, staying close to the US and the West, while at the same time strengthening its relations with China and Russia, and trying to minimize or eradicate conflicts and disputes with countries such as Iran. Let us also not forget that Riyadh enjoys an excellent relationship with Trump due to the trust and respect built during his first administration.

Trump has left world leaders, economists, and political analysts struggling to predict the future.

Faisal J. Abbas

When you combine such a web of relationships with the religious clout and economic might that the Kingdom enjoys, one can only begin to imagine the sphere of influence it has which was and is being used to help resolve regional and international conflicts. However, there is an added element, too, for Saudi-Greek bilateral ties, which have grown tremendously in the past eight years.
Early this year, the relationship was strengthened by the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received him in AlUla and he also visited the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site at Hegra. They discussed relations between the two countries as well as ways to increase cooperation in various fields. The crown prince and Mitsotakis also chaired the Saudi-Greek Strategic Partnership Council, which oversees areas of current and future cooperation.
Among Saudis, including yours truly, Greece is not only known for its history and heritage as a tourist destination, but we will never forget that when US President Joe Biden withdrew the Patriot anti-aircraft missiles in the middle of the war on the Houthis, it was Greece that decided to send the Patriot missile system to Saudi Arabia on loan. This gesture was highly applauded and appreciated in the Kingdom and provided a unique bond in the relationship between Athens and Riyadh.
As a firm believer in this relationship and what it could mean in terms of benefits for both countries, the region, and for Europe, the uncertainty the world is going through means Athens should push full speed ahead, especially to enhance its economic standing. That would also give the country an edge that could potentially end the need for a general strike, which is what happened on day one of the conference, stopping many delegates from attending. Kudos to the organizers for making it a success regardless.
With the world divided, Saudi Arabia is playing the role of pacifier. The idea is to quench the fires of division and provide a healing touch to humanity. All things considered, you don’t need the Oracle to tell you that all roads lead to Riyadh.

• Faisal J. Abbas is the editor-in-chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas