Amid controversy over Saudi trip, President Biden says he has a ‘realistic and achievable’ Middle East strategy
President Joe Biden is trying to answer in the affirmative as he wraps up a four-day trip to the Middle East Saturday with meetings in Saudi Arabia – the country he previously vowed to shun because of its human rights abuses.
“No country gets it right all the time – even most of the time – including the United States,” Biden said in laying out to leaders from nine countries his priorities for a “realistic and achievable” Middle East strategy, including promoting human rights.
Biden said he knows from experience that being criticized isn’t fun but accountability and the rule of law is the best way to ensure justice and prosperity.
Biden also pledged to build political, economic and security connections with the region and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
bring down the price of gas.
While no specific commitments have been announced, Biden noted Friday that the OPEC+ group of oil producing nations recently increased production and said he expects to see “further steps in the coming weeks.”
Biden is pressing the Saudis to increase oil production. Experts say the kingdom isn’t likely to agree
The latest:
- New approach: Biden was forced to pivot from shunning Saudi Arabia to embracing the kingdom due to geopolitical realties: the short-term rise in gas prices, the long-term energy security challenges, the need to deter Iran’s aggressions in the region and the fear of leaving a vacuum in the Middle East that China or Russia could fill.
-
Energy security: The Saudi government did not mention oil production in its summary of joint agreements with the U.S. The White House announcement said steps are expected “over the coming weeks” that will “help stabilize markets considerably.” Both countries said they are partnering on a clean energy initiative to accelerate a transition away from fossil fuels.
-
Yemen cease fire: Saudi Arabia agreed to extend a cease-fire in Yemen’s civil war, a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran that unleashed one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
- Khashoggi killing: Biden said he brought up the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S.-based journalist who wrote for The Washington Post, in his meeting Friday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. U.S. intelligence believes the crown prince approved the killing of Khashoggi four years ago. Biden said the prince claimed he was not personally responsible. “I indicated I thought he was,” Biden said.
- Saudi denial: Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs who was in Biden’s meeting with bin Salman, told the New York Times he did not hear Biden say he believed the crown prince was responsible for Khashoggi’s murder. Asked about the discrepancy, Biden spokesman John Kirby said the White House stands behinds Biden’s account.
- Inching toward normalization: Biden announced that peacekeepers will depart the Red Sea island of Tiran by the end of the year in the latest sign that Saudi Arabia and Israel are inching toward normalization. The island, controlled by Egypt before being ceded to Saudi Arabia in 2017, has hosted American troops as part of the Multinational Force and Observers since 1981 after Israel and Egypt reached a peace accord.
- Opening airways: Saudi Arabia announced it will open its airspace to “all air carriers,” signaling the end of their longstanding ban on Israeli flights overflying their territory – a key step toward normalization between the two nations.
What’s happening
Biden is attending a summit of Middle Eastern leaders, those representing the Gulf Cooperation Council plus Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, a group known as the GCC+3.
In public remarks before the private meeting, Biden laid out his five principles for a Middle East strategy that will “target our resources, rebuild trust and deliver real results.”
He announced $1 billion in food security assistance for the Middle East and North Africa.
Biden said he will discuss with the Arab Gulf leaders their multibillion-dollar commitment to invest in a global infrastructure initiative to help low- and middle-income countries and counter China’s growing clout.
He also met one-on-one with the leaders of Iraq, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Top takeaways
Biden raised eyebrows when he exchanged a fist bump with the kingdom’s crown prince, known by his initials MBS, upon arriving at Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah for delicate talks on energy, human rights and security in the Middle East.
Later, in a meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and other Saudi leaders, reporters asked MBS whether he apologizes to the Khashoggi family and asked Biden if still considers Saudi Arabia a “pariah.” The president did not respond. The crown prince appeared to smirk. Reporters were then escorted out.
Biden said the purpose of his trip was not to meet with the crown prince but to position the United States in the region for the future. “We’re not going to leave a vacuum in the Middle East for Russia or China to fill,” he said.
What they are saying
- “The fist bump between President Biden and Mohammed bin Salman was worse than a handshake — it was shameful,” Fred Ryan, publisher of The Washington Post, said in a statement. “It projected a level of intimacy and comfort that delivers to MBS the unwarranted redemption he has been desperately seeking.”
- “If we ever needed a visual reminder of the continuing grip oil-rich autocrats have on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, we got it today,” tweeted Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. “One fist bump is worth a thousand words.
Why it matters
The administration argues Biden is pursuing a Middle East strategy that’s more realistic than past attempts at regime change and nation building through military force.
In an opinion piece laying out his reasons for making the controversial trip , Biden said he will be the first president to visit the Middle East since 9/11 without U.S. troops engaged in a combat mission there.
A signal of ‘impunity’? Biden’s trip to Middle East pits human rights against geopolitical reality
Saudi ‘culpability’: Biden defends Saudi Arabia visit after Khashoggi murder, says he’s ‘never been quiet’ on human rights
‘A good beginning’? Tensions over Iran nuclear deal disrupt Biden’s kumbaya moment in Israel
Political upheaval:Israel heads for unprecedented fifth election in three years after government collapses
Contributing: The Associated Press