All articles tagged with #us saudi relations
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plans to meet President Trump to discuss a defense agreement and potential normalization of ties with Israel, contingent on progress towards a Palestinian state, amid complex regional and diplomatic considerations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on November 18 to discuss strengthening ties, including potential defense agreements and Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords, amid ongoing negotiations and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman called Donald Trump to express his happiness over Trump's return to power, highlighting the strengthened US-Saudi relations during Trump's previous term. The relationship had been strained under President Biden due to his criticism of Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The United States and Saudi Arabia are in discussions about a potential security agreement that would not include Israel, according to Axios. This agreement, which is not a full defense treaty, is being pursued by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the White House with the aim of finalizing it before President Joe Biden's term ends in January.
Saudi Arabia has officially joined the BRICS group, a move that raises questions about its implications on the ongoing peace negotiations with Israel and the potential U.S.-Saudi defense treaty. The BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has traditionally focused on economic growth among developing nations. The decision by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to align with BRICS could signal a shift in the Kingdom's geopolitical strategy.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly kept US Secretary of State Antony Blinken waiting for hours for a meeting and did not show up until the next day, in a snub to the US diplomat. Blinken was seeking to persuade the Saudi ruler to condemn the Hamas terror attacks, but encountered key differences between the US and Saudi positions. The Saudi crown prince called for Israel to halt military operations and de-escalate the conflict, contrasting with the Biden administration's support for Israel's actions while calling for the protection of civilian lives. Blinken's attempts to find common ground with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also faced little success. Saudi Arabia has been a key US ally, but its ruler has sought a more independent course in recent years, including forming closer ties with China.
Five years after the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has successfully rehabilitated his regime's image and strengthened his position on the global stage. Despite US intelligence officials implicating Prince Mohammed in Khashoggi's assassination, he has met with world leaders, positioned Saudi Arabia as a tourism destination, and pursued ambitious projects like the Neom city. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have prioritized short-term economic and security interests over human rights, with Biden failing to hold Prince Mohammed accountable. The crown prince has even embarrassed Biden by flexing his influence over global oil markets. As a result, Prince Mohammed has emerged more defiant and powerful than ever before.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in an interview with Fox News that Saudi Arabia and Israel are moving closer to normalizing ties "every day," while emphasizing that the Palestinian issue remains important. This comes after US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the issue during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly. Both leaders acknowledged the significance of the Palestinian component in the normalization talks, with Netanyahu stating that Palestinians should be part of the process but not have a veto over it. The Biden administration believes progress on a two-state solution is crucial for the deal's success, as it would help address criticism of Saudi Arabia and gain support from progressive Democrats.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering purchasing a large number of French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets, signaling a potential shift away from its traditional suppliers, the US and UK. The move comes amid strained US-Saudi relations and concerns over the reliability of its long-time partners. Saudi Arabia's interest in the Rafale jets may be driven by political and practical considerations, as its neighbors in the UAE and Qatar have already built up fleets of Western-made jets that include Rafales. French jets offer an attractive option due to their modernity, NATO origin, and less restrictive end-user agreements. However, pragmatic concerns, such as the extensive investment in US and British aircraft, may limit the feasibility of acquiring Rafales for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss their "shared commitment to advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond," despite strained relations between the two countries. The Biden administration has clashed with Saudi Arabia over its oil supply, partnership with Russia in OPEC+, and China-mediated détente with Iran. The relationship remains due to Saudi Arabia's reliance on America as a security guarantor for the wider Middle East and shared interests in ending the kingdom's war in Yemen and striking a lasting cease-fire in Sudan. Discussions may have included human rights issues, including the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss US-Saudi strategic cooperation on regional and global issues, economic and security cooperation, and participate in meetings of the US-Gulf Cooperation Council and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The Biden administration has sought to reengage with the kingdom despite strained relations following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The production cut announced by Saudi Arabia over the weekend was its biggest in years and will depress its output to 9 million barrels per day.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where he discussed human rights issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit marks a shift in US-Saudi relations, which have been strained in recent years due to concerns over human rights abuses and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Blinken emphasized the importance of diplomacy and cooperation between the two countries, but also called for progress on human rights issues.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Saudi Arabia to improve the strained relationship between the two countries. Blinken is expected to meet with top Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and discuss issues such as Iran, regional security, and oil prices. The visit aims to regain influence with Riyadh over oil prices, fend off Chinese and Russian influence in the region, and nurture hopes for an eventual normalization of Saudi-Israeli ties. The US is also expected to address human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, including the detention of US citizens and residents.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham had a "very productive" meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he previously criticized following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Graham expressed his desire to enhance the US-Saudi relationship and work with the Biden administration and Congress to bring stability to the region. The meeting reflects the uneasy accommodation the US government has made with the de facto Saudi leader following Khashoggi's murder. The two also discussed ongoing diplomacy related to ending the war in Yemen.
Saad Almadi, a 72-year-old American citizen imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for over a year due to critical tweets about the Saudi crown prince, has been released and is now with family members in Riyadh. It is unclear whether the travel ban imposed on him will be lifted to allow him to return home to Florida. Almadi's imprisonment had been one of several alleged human rights abuses that had soured relations between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Joe Biden.