President Joe Biden has sent his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to Saudi Arabia for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MbS. The visit aims to foster a
normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, among other key topics.
During the wide-ranging talks, the two leaders addressed efforts to achieve a more peaceful and stable Middle East, as well as finding a lasting resolution to the long-standing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen.
Additionally, Sullivan and Prince Mohammed discussed the Biden administration's aspiration to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This endeavor follows the Trump administration's successful facilitation of the "Abraham Accords," which led to the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
While a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia could significantly impact the region and bolster Israel's position, brokering such an agreement is a complex task. The kingdom has expressed its unwillingness to formally recognize Israel until a resolution is reached concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sullivan's visit comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent trip to Saudi Arabia, which also sought to promote normalization between Israel and the kingdom. However, the Saudis have emphasized the importance of finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people before fully embracing normalization with Israel.
As discussions continue, the challenges lie in navigating the political complexities of the region, addressing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and managing concerns over nuclear cooperation. Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in a nuclear cooperation deal, including the ability to enrich uranium, a matter that raises nonproliferation concerns. The kingdom's stance on nuclear arms in response to Iran's program adds further complexity to the situation.
Amid these intricacies, both parties are engaging in dialogues aimed at reshaping the dynamics in the Middle East and advancing regional stability. Photo by Executive Office of the President of the United States, Wikimedia commons.