Turkey's rift with Saudi Arabia will not end soon

Significance

The two-day visit has not averted the growing confrontation between Turkey on one hand and the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the other. This is forming a new and important cleavage in the politics of the Middle East.

Impacts

• Turkish exports to the Gulf countries look vulnerable.
• Turkey will avoid allowing its political differences with Saudi Arabia to affect business links.
• Saudi investments in Turkey, at about 6 billion dollars, will be a stabilising factor.
• Joint ventures in the arms industry could be the main casualties.