Saudi crown prince capitalizes on photo ops in Asia

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman completed his reduced trip to Asia last week with an array of carefully staged photo opportunities to show he is still a credible figure on the world stage. His hosts — Pakistan, India and China — avoided awkward issues such as the premeditated murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the war in Yemen. In turn the crown prince promised huge investments and warm diplomatic support.

The principal goal of the trip was to restore the crown prince’s tarnished image and convince his Saudi audiences that he is still accepted internationally. The trip got off to an awkward start. First his arrival in Islamabad was delayed a day with no explanation provided as to why. Then two stops, Indonesia and Malaysia, were suddenly canceled, again without any explanation. Given that royal visits are carefully choreographed well in advance, the schedule changes suggest concerns that security issues arose, including fear of hostile demonstrations.

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan staged a reception with bells and whistles. The Pakistani air force escorted the prince’s airplane inside Pakistani airspace. Khan was at the airport and personally drove Prince Mohammed — often referred to by his initials MBS — to his first appointment. The decades of close Saudi-Pakistani relations were hailed and an even better future promised. Mohammed was awarded Pakistan’s highest medal and received a golden machine gun.

Both sides need the other. Pakistan is in deep economic trouble. It is also accused by its three neighbors — Iran, Afghanistan and India — of harboring terrorists. Relations with Iran and India are especially strained currently. The crown prince needs a great reception to dismiss the stain of the Khashoggi murder and the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen; both are widely blamed on him.