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| 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)
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