Saudi Arabia: A Player in Middle East Elections

It is a contradiction to mention Saudi Arabia (an absolute monarchy) and elections in the same sentence; however, no country in the Middle East, as of late, has been more invested in this democratic process than Saudi Arabia. For the record, election is part of the democratic process; Saudi Arabia is not.

According to some reports which have been circulating in the Arab media, the Saudis poured more money into the Lebanese parliamentary race that propelled the coalition of Sa'ad el-Hariri into victory than what was spent on Barack Obama's U.S. presidential bid. Lebanon, however, is a country of only four million.

While one cannot quantify the exact amount of money the Saudis spent or substantiate these reports, the Saudi influence is evident through the many media outlets the Kingdom owns or backs.

Saudi Arabia controls an impressive share of the Arab world's most influential media outlets ranging from top distribution newspapers such the London-based Asharq Alawsat, to the second most viewed television satellite station in the region Al Arabiya, which was founded by the brother-in-law of the late King Fahd. Saudi control of many Arab media outlets, directly and indirectly, has prompted a journalist friend of mine based in Egypt to refer to the Saudi monarch as his editor-in chief.

During the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections, the Saudi-controlled media focused its efforts on painting the Lebanese opposition lead by Hezbollah as an Iranian "proxy". The Kingdom dispatched a group of "experts" from one station to the other to warn about the spread of Iran's influence in the Arab world. The same sentiment was also disseminated through editorials in the various newspapers Saudi Arabia owned or had an interest in.

This past week, while still savoring the election victory in Lebanon of the March 14 alliance, the Saudi-controlled media has been concentrating its efforts on the Iranian Presidential Election. Al Arabiya, for example, has been constantly airing segments from the television debates by the presidential candidates and sound bites critical of incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Saudi-run media has been favoring Mir Hossein Mousavi, the reformist candidate, and has given him the edge in Tehran but neglected other provinces where it is a totally different story. In many instances, anchors on Saudi-controlled Arab media outlets could hardly restrain their glee whenever Ahmadinejad was criticized by his challengers.

In case you're wondering who the Saudis have been targeting through Arab satellite stations in Iran where Farsi is the official language -- approximately 6% of Iran's population are Arabic-speakers, the majority of whom live in Khuzestan. Saudi Arabia is hoping that they, along with other minority groups, will make the difference to deliver them another victory... this time against Ahmadinejad in Iran.

Update: The Iranian government has recently shut down Al Arabiya's offices in Tehran.

Jamal Dajani produces the Mosaic Intelligence Report on Link TV.

Comments

[joz22]

Jamal you are right! Iran has turned the lights off on the the Saudi owned Al Arabiya TV!

[Taxi]

Countries that don't have democratic elections shouldn't put their hands on the ballot boxes of other countries.

[justice2008]

And we should do that? The US has a history of meddling with foreign elections.

[leonardox1]

Looks like you predicted it Jamal in your last blog
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamal-dajani/ahmadinejad-ballots-and-m_b_206715.html

Ahmadinejad seems to have won...and you won your bet.

[alexa07]

Jamal, Another great piece. Thanks for sorting it out.

[joz22]

Well, it looks like the Saudis did not get their wishes in Iran!

[joz22]

Moussavi declared victory. Is this true?

[jad114]

Ahmadinejad is saying he's winning

[jad114]

May be a stupid question: What's in it for the Saudis? I understand why they do not want Lebanon to be under Shiite control but how would another candidate such as Mousavi be helpful to Saudi interests?

[newsjunkie5]

because they know he will be a puppet and serve the Saudi's interests.

they want Ahmadinejad out because they can't control him and he will not pander to anyone.

[jordanispalestine]

Not true--The Mullahs run Iran! Read a little bit!

[joz22]

The Saudi King hates Ahmadinejad. He thinks that he is going to drag the region in to war.

[justice2008]

Saudi Arabia is on the same page with the US. Ahmadinejad's irrational behavior is a threat to the region. Many in the Persian Gulf would have liked a more moderate Iranian leadership.

[joz22]

I don't know what the outcome will be but the turnout per capitaputs us (Americans) into shame!

[newsjunkie5]

What is so wrong about the Saudis pouring money into the Lebanese elections or influencing the Iranian ones with their news media outlets?

We have private interest groups and lobbyists in this country who also buy votes and candidates.

Is it because Saudia Arabia is an Arab/Muslim state that everyone is upset or nervous?

[leonardox1]

Who are you referring to?

[justice2008]

It is wrong anywhere!

[zaz33]

newsjunkie - I'm pretty sure it's illegal for foreign countries to contribute to campaigns in the US.

[vim876]

But it's legal for corporations.

[leonardox1]

Could it be a coordinated US - Saudi effort to topple Ahmadinajad? Not that I feel sorry for him...

[cohen238765]

Why does it always have to be a conspiracy?

The Saudi King wants Ahmadinejad out becaue he is a threat to the world.

[newsjunkie5]

I have to disagree - I really don't see Ahmadinejad as a threat to anyone. He is a leader who has his own beliefs and isn't afraid to express them. Mousavi, his rival, most likely shares the same foreign policy as Ahmadinejad, but is more of a politician and delicately dances around issues.

Haven't we all (the collective world) had enough of politicians and their empty speeches. I like Ahmadeinead because I always know what he is thikning abnd where he stands on issues.

I may not agree with his policies, but I do appreciate his honmesty and transperency!

I hope he wins!

[justice2008]

The Saudi king is a threat...Netanyahu is a threat...No one forced out Bush and he was the biggest threat!

[joz22]

Jamal, you said a couple of posts ago that you thought that Ahmadinejad would win. Do you still believe so?

[Jamal Dajani - Huffpost Blogger]

It's too early to call and there might be an election runoff next Friday. However, should Ahmadinejad lose I will eat my words stuffed inside a falafel sandwich with extra shatta (hot sauce) as punishment.

[newsjunkie5]

I hope you won't have to do that Mr. Dajani, although it does sound tasty, because I hope he will win!

[leonardox1]

Falafel with hot sauce...Yum. Won't call this a punishment.

[zaz33]

Jamal - Why is there no discussion about Iran's offer to turn their enrichmend activities into an international consortium ? -

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2008/iran-080411-rianovosti01.htm

[justice2008]

No wonder Obama paid the Saudi King the first visit. It is not all about oil.

[leonardox1]

It IS all abou OIL! What else does Saudi Arabia have?