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One of the most striking images in the Arab world in recent days came from º£½ÇÖ±²¥, where two key Arab leaders were warmly welcomed: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi and, just days later, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. These back‑to‑back visits, both in the same month and only days apart, came after intense social media speculation about rifts between Riyadh, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi. Yet the photos of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeting both leaders with warmth and ease told a very different story.

The significance of these visits is best understood in their broader context. They followed a wave of rumors and speculation, spread by anonymous social media accounts alleging tensions between Riyadh on one side and Abu Dhabi and Cairo on the other. Yet, the images of the crown prince welcoming both leaders served as a decisive rebuttal. The personal warmth, the shared smiles, and even the informal attire spoke louder than the rumors, underscoring the depth, authenticity, and well‑established nature of these ties.

Building on this atmosphere of reassurance, the Kingdom’s hosting of both President El‑Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed within days of each other carried even greater weight. The two visits stood as clear evidence of close cooperation and coordination among the Arab world’s most influential capitals at this critical moment in Arab history — a relationship essential to safeguarding the region’s stability and security.

In other words, this alignment among the three is not merely a matter of protocol; it is about safeguarding Arab interests themselves. The most reliable shield for those interests is the deep understanding and close coordination among º£½ÇÖ±²¥, Egypt, and the UAE. With a combined GDP of around $2 trillion — more than half of it generated by º£½ÇÖ±²¥ — these three nations bring together political weight and economic power. Close cooperation and coordination are essential not only to safeguard existing achievements, but also to maximize benefits for each nation.

Indeed, Riyadh continues to play an indispensable role in deepening these ties, recognizing that closer coordination among the three countries is fundamental not only to the prosperity of the Middle East but also to the security of the wider world.

Equally important was the public reaction across the region. The near‑simultaneous visits and the images of the two leaders with the crown prince resonated with ordinary people, who saw in them a reassuring message of unity, strength, and shared purpose at a time when greater cooperation is most needed.

Today, º£½ÇÖ±²¥, Egypt, and the UAE stand out as a central force in the region, capable of shaping a more stable future for the Middle East through collective action. This was clearly reflected in their unified stance on the Palestinian issue, rejecting any attempts at forced displacement of Palestinians from their land or the imposition of solutions that run counter to international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy.

The key point here is that º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s strength today is rooted not only in its resources, but in the bridges it has built with others — whether near or far. On the international stage, real power is never defined by armies, massive walls, or grand parades of force. Such displays may project might, but they cannot guarantee endurance. What truly secures lasting power is the ability to cultivate healthy relationships grounded in mutual interests, nurtured by trust, and sustained by a shared commitment to stability. And it is in this art of building bridges that º£½ÇÖ±²¥ demonstrates its true and enduring strength. 

• Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad is a researcher and writer with more than seven years’ experience in political media. He specializes in analyzing political trends in the MENA region and the US. X: @nasseralahmad3