The Royal Seal of Approval, For a Price
FIRST INSTANCE: Buying Good Standing (1970s onwards) Royal visits, especially from UK dignitaries, have long served as powerful tools for legitimizing regimes globally, irrespective of their human rights records. The pattern began consolidating significantly in the post-colonial era, as Britain pivoted from overt empire to soft power and economic influence. Historically, Saudi Arabia, a key oil
exporter and arms purchaser, became a natural recipient of such diplomatic overtures. One might recall numerous high-profile 'royal' engagements in the region that consistently coincided with major arms deals or energy agreements, conveniently deflecting from any less-than-democratic domestic policies. REPETITIONS: The Rehabilitation Circuit (Post-2018) This particular narrative gained exceptional
traction following the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, an act which briefly — and rather inconveniently for Western capitals — stained Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's international image. At the time, global condemnation was widespread, with many international figures and politicians initially vowing to isolate KSA’s de facto ruler. Fast forward to 2022, just four years later, and we saw
President Biden perform his own version of diplomatic contortion, fist-bumping MBS during a visit aimed at lowering oil prices. The financial argument for 'engagement' quickly overshadowed 'accountability,' proving how swiftly moral outrage can dissipate when economic interests are at stake (Associated Press, 2022). OUTCOMES: Short-term Gains, Long-term Complicity Each instance of a high-profile