Introduction:
Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud, a former Saudi intelligence chief, addresses the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles. He reflects on Saudi Arabia’s 84th anniversary and the Kingdom’s role in regional conflicts.

Saudi Arabia’s History and Stability:
Prince Faisal highlights Saudi Arabia’s resilience despite predictions of its downfall. He emphasizes the Kingdom’s participation in the U.S.-led airstrikes against terrorist targets in Syria.

Warnings about Syria and Terrorism:
Prince Faisal reiterates his previous statements about the escalating crisis in Syria since 2011. He expresses concerns about the rise of non-state actors and the spread of terrorism in the region.

Syria’s Descent into Chaos:
Prince Faisal criticizes the international community’s inaction in Syria, leading to the worsening humanitarian crisis. He calls for support to the moderate opposition and the need for a political solution.

Missed Opportunities and Consequences:
Prince Faisal asserts that early support for the moderate Syrian opposition could have prevented the rise of extremist groups like ISIS. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the political and military aspects of the conflict.

The Role of Bashar al-Assad and Iran:
Prince Faisal condemns Assad’s brutal tactics against his own people and highlights Iran’s support for the Syrian regime. He draws parallels between the situations in Iraq and Syria, emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance.

Proposal for a Unity Government:
Prince Faisal suggests the formation of a unity government in Syria that includes the moderate opposition and excludes those responsible for bloodshed. He emphasizes the Syrian Coalition Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

Conclusion:
Prince Faisal calls for a comprehensive approach to pacify hotspots in the Middle East, including addressing the situations in Iraq and Syria. He urges the international community to support the moderate opposition and work towards a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Regional Conflicts and Intervention:
Proposes a no-fly zone in Syria and establishing a coalition government to legitimize the Syrian people’s representation. Supports Egypt’s President Sisi in his efforts to fix the economy and urges international support. Highlights the connection between fahish and the offshoot in the Sinai Peninsula, linking it to Syria and Iraq.

Yemen’s Struggle:
Discusses Yemen’s interim government’s struggle against a Shia militia backed by Iran. Emphasizes the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council, led by Saudi Arabia, in supporting Yemen’s interim government. Expresses concern about the lack of attention from the U.S. and Europe to the situation in Yemen.

Bahrain’s Political Reconciliation:
Mentions the Kingdom’s support for Bahrain’s government in achieving political reconciliation with the opposition. Highlights the efforts of the Crown Prince of Bahrain to move negotiations forward. Criticizes the opposition’s boycott of elections and refusal to negotiate except on their terms. Predicts growing Shia opposition to the extremists dictating terms and a potential revolt against them. Acknowledges Iran’s support for the opposition in Bahrain.

Iran’s Interference:
Accuses Iran of intervening in Syria’s internal affairs by sending Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi militias to support Assad. Condemns Iran’s public opposition to actions taken against fahish, considering it an infringement on Syria’s sovereignty. Points out Iran’s deployment of its Revolutionary Guard to help Assad kill his people. Criticizes Iran’s support for Maliki in Iraq, leading to the undermining of the Iraqi army and the shameful flight of Maliki commanders during the Fahish attack on Mosul. Expresses concern about Iran’s Supreme Leader continuing to support Maliki despite his role in weakening the Iraqi army.

Iran’s Influence and Support of Extremist Groups:
Saudi Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud expresses concerns about Iran’s interference in Arab affairs and its support for extremist groups. He criticizes Iran’s backing of the Houthis in Yemen, the Ufaq party in Bahrain, and Hamas in Palestine, which undermines regional stability and unity.

Call for Overcoming Differences and Resolving Conflicts:
Prince Turki emphasizes the need for overcoming suspicion and wariness between Saudi Arabia and Iran, highlighting their shared history, religion, and common holy book, the Quran. He expresses hope that these commonalities will prevail over their differences and lead to improved relations.

Condemnation of Terrorism and Countering Extremist Ideology:
Prince Turki strongly condemns extremist terrorist groups and their use of the Palestinian cause to justify their activities. He stresses the importance of challenging and exposing their ideology, declaring them as apostates and criminals, and cleansing school curricula of any misinterpretations that could lead to extremist views.

Collaboration in Countering Terrorism:
Prince Turki emphasizes the need for international cooperation in countering terrorism, urging countries to share intelligence, know-how, and expertise, and to support countries with limited resources in strengthening their counterterrorism efforts. He criticizes the International Center, Counterterrorism Center at the United Nations for failing to fulfill its goals and urges countries to contribute to its effectiveness.

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Combating Terrorism:
Prince Turki highlights Saudi Arabia’s close cooperation with the United States, European Union, United Nations, and other countries in identifying and prosecuting miscreants involved in terrorist activities. He challenges those who accuse Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorism to provide evidence or remain silent.

Iran’s Nuclear Program and the Need for a Nuclear-Free Zone:
Prince Turki supports the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East as a way to prevent proliferation. He criticizes Iran’s continued enrichment of uranium despite international sanctions and expresses hope for a final agreement with Iran on its nuclear program that will allow GCC countries to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Syrian Conflict and the Fight Against ISIS:
Prince Turki acknowledges the positive aspects of the coalition attacks against ISIS in eliminating an enemy of the moderate opposition in Syria. However, he emphasizes the need to address the root of the problem, which is the Assad regime, in order to prevent the emergence of more extremist groups in the future. He criticizes the international community’s lack of response to the brutality of the Assad regime and calls for action to eliminate the disease at its source.

Alternatives to Airstrikes:
Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud believes that airstrikes are not a panacea for the region’s problems. He argues that supplying the Free Syrian Army with anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-artillery weapons three years ago could have neutralized Assad’s superiority. This would have prevented the rise of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra.

Current Situation:
The core of the Free Syrian Army continues to fight Assad, Jabhat al-Nusra, and ISIS. Prince Turki believes that training and supplying this core group is the only viable alternative to the current status quo.

No-Fly Zones and Coalition Council:
Establishing no-fly zones along the borders of Turkey, Syria, and Jordan would allow the Syrian opposition council to establish a government on Syrian soil. This would demonstrate the seriousness of the world community and the opposition groups.

Saudi-Israeli Alliance against Iran:
Prince Turki states that the question of a Saudi-Israeli alliance against Iran is frequently asked. He believes that there is an important element to consider in this regard.

Peace Proposals Ignored by Israel:
Israel has consistently disregarded peace proposals, including the Fahd Peace Plan in 1981 and the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, which called for mutual recognition, Palestinian statehood, and an end to hostilities.

Arab Peace Initiative and Israeli Acceptance:
The Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia aimed to establish peace between Israel and Arab nations through Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, recognition of Israel, and resolution of the refugee problem. Despite Saudi Arabia’s efforts, there was limited positive engagement from Israeli officials, with only President Perez acknowledging some potential for cooperation.

Saudi-Israeli Linkage on Iran’s Nuclear Program:
Saudi Arabia does not foresee a direct connection between Saudi-Israeli relations and the issue of Iran’s nuclear development. Saudi Arabia believes that establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the region would be a more effective approach to prevent nuclear proliferation.

Saudi-Iranian Relations and Potential for Peace:
Saudi Arabia and Iran have made attempts to foster understanding and improve relations, particularly during the presidency of Rafsanjani in the 1990s and Khatami’s official visit to Saudi Arabia. However, Iran’s interference in Arab countries has strained relations, and Saudi Arabia seeks specific and verifiable actions from Iran to demonstrate its commitment to better relations.

Saudi Arabia’s Responsibility to the Muslim World:
Saudi Arabia acknowledges its responsibility as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the location of holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The kingdom strives to serve the Muslim world, hosting millions of pilgrims annually and promoting unity and understanding among Muslims.

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Self-Improvement:
Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud emphasizes the importance of self-improvement in Saudi Arabia before advising others to do the same.

Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia has taken steps to improve women’s rights, including granting them the right to vote and hold office. Thirty women were appointed to the consultative assembly, making up 20% of the body, which compares favorably to other assemblies worldwide, including the United States Congress. Additionally, job opportunities for women have been opened up, with the government actively promoting this change.

Human Rights Commission in Saudi Arabia:
A Human Rights Commission has been established in Saudi Arabia to address complaints regarding government actions or lack thereof related to human rights. This commission collaborates with international organizations to learn from their experiences in addressing human rights issues.

Saudi Arabia’s Responsibility to the Muslim World:
Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud acknowledges Saudi Arabia’s responsibility to the Muslim world but believes that the country must first practice what it preaches before advising others. He recognizes that Saudi Arabia, as a developing nation with various social, historical, and cultural challenges, has taken steps in the right direction but still has room for improvement.