How Soft Power Facilitated Needed Change between the Saudis and Americans

Soft power is the kind of power that can easily melt iron without the use of fire. It can build bridges, buildings and other investments without using cement. It can do so much, and the key to its success is a basic human capability – communication!

And, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is eager to exploit this through the program of external scholarship, which has already sent thousands of students to the U.S.

Studying abroad is one of the best ideas to have come about, as it helps to strengthen the knowledge and humanitarian aspects between countries. Any person who plans to travel outside their own country for study purposes takes this necessary step for him/herself as well as their own culture. The cultural exchange provides them the opportunity to transfer the knowledge and cultural resources your country has identified as important. You share this culture with others and attain something in return.

Saudi Government Sees Good in Scholarship Exchange Program
These advantages come out through people.

Saudi Arabia’s new scholarship exchange program began in 2006 – something the Saudi government acknowledged was a great decision for multiple reasons:

·         It provided Saudi students the chance to increase their knowledge and attain high degrees before coming home and serving the country.

·         It helped to improve the Saudi-American relationship in both the economic and educational sectors.

·         Students help to facilitate the exchange of cultures between two people.

To ascertain this goal, the government decided to use “soft power” by establishing and holding cultural activities on many U.S. campuses.  In its 13 years, there have been more than 500,000 Saudi students sent abroad to the U.S., which has led to a high rise in the number of Saudi cultural activities in American society.

Given the American people’s feelings of foreign entities in the U.S. after 9/11, the Saudi students were able to change many Americans’ outlook on the Saudi people using soft power. They were able to prove that it was the terrorist organization – Al-Qaida – that was responsible for the horrific attacks on that fateful day, and not the Saudi government or its people.

Through soft power, the students were able to successfully turn the outlook around despite the many years of the media bashing Saudi Arabia.

U.S. and Saudi Arabia History Goes Back Decades

The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. goes back 80 years before World War II. And, it was further strengthened in 1932 when American companies discovered oil in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to military cooperation, the relationship between the two countries only grew stronger. For example, U.S. army forces fought to liberate Kuwait and protected the region during the second Gulf War in 1989 that resulted in the defeat of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Based on the historical relationship the two countries have, it’s no wonder that the Saudi government feels it can never be compromised.  And, thanks to its people, the relationship will strengthen even more in terms of cultural, personal and humanitarian aspects.

Saudi Arabia’s scholarship exchange program has enabled students of less than 200 clubs in the U.S. to shares its rich cultures and diverse traditions. For instance, American universities have worked with on-campus Saudi student clubs in carrying out several key celebrations of the cultural including:

·         Saudi National Day

·         Ramadan Breakfast

·         Holiday Celebrations

·         International Day of Arabic Language

According to the U.S.-based Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission, these student clubs have created and held more than 1,000 events every year since 2011 with more than 8,000 activities up to now. This is what Saudi soft power means.

There is no doubt the U.S. news media has had a huge role – both positively and negatively – in how important Saudi Arabia is. This role has created an image in people’s mind about what many consider the heart of the Middle East.

I often bet on people’s communication which is known merely as successful diplomacy or people to people. With this communication tool, people can say easily what the media does not. I had seen with my own eyes the tremendous humanitarian sacrifice of the two young Saudi students gave their live when they rescued two children from drowning in Massachusetts’ Chicopee River last year. Some volunteers rebuilt homes in Texas and Florida after they were damaged by hurricanes last year. I also saw volunteers handing out food baskets to American families struck by tornadoes.

Now, soft power is a double-edged sword that depends on its use. It could be positively used for intellectual and cultural purposes. Saudi soft power in the U.S. has strengthened the bond the two countries share, and it’s been for the good of all people. So, do not be shocked if you can see an American man wearing a Saudi dresses in the heartland or Washington, D.C.

I fully encourage Saudi Arabia residents to use their soft power.