US Secretary of State Blinken Holds Talks with Saudi Crown Prince to Strengthen Relations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman
Image Credit: Google

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a diplomatic mission to mend relations with Saudi Arabia, focusing on issues such as:

• Human rights,

• Iran,

• Regional security, and

• Oil prices.

During his visit, Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and reaffirmed the commitment to stability, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond.

The discussions also emphasized the importance of achieving peace in Yemen.

Bilateral Relations and Human Rights:

Blinken highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia through advancements in human rights.

He expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support in the recent evacuation of US citizens from Sudan and its diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in Sudan.

High-Level Visits and Ongoing Discussions:

This visit marked the second high-level trip by US officials to Saudi Arabia, following White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan's visit in May.

Blinken's three-day visit included meetings with other top Saudi officials, aiming to foster dialogue and cooperation.

Navigating Oil Production and Global Influence:

The recent Saudi pledge to further reduce oil production added tension to the US-Saudi relationship.

Riyadh has clashed repeatedly with US President Joe Biden on its supply of crude oil to global markets, its willingness to partner with Russia in OPEC+ and it’s reaching a detente with Iran mediated by China.

Blinken's objectives during the trip encompassed regaining influence over oil prices, countering Chinese and Russian influence in the region, and fostering potential normalization of Saudi Arabian-Israeli ties.

Challenges and Discouraging Saudi-Chinese Relations:

Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Washington, DC-based think tank, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies highlighted the need for Blinken to dissuade closer ties between Saudi Arabia and China.

While the visit aimed to articulate the misalignment of Chinese interests with Saudi Arabia and underscore the potential negative implications of closer strategic relations with China on the US-Saudi relationship.

Progress in US-Saudi Relations amid Tensions:

US-Saudi ties faced challenges in 2019 when President Biden during his presidential campaign, said he would treat Riyadh like “the pariah that they are” if he was elected.

The release of a US intelligence assessment in 2021, implicating the Crown Prince in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, further strained relations.

However, recent developments indicate an overall improvement in relations, particularly in security cooperation.

Lastly:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia underscored the United States' commitment to enhancing relations with the oil-rich kingdom.

Through dialogue and cooperation, the visit aimed to address concerns related to human rights, regional stability, and oil prices.

By nurturing ties, discouraging Saudi-Chinese relations, and exploring avenues for collaboration, the US sought to solidify its influence in the region and promote shared interests.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)