Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Receives Warm White House welcome, Signaling Shift in U.S. Policy
WASHINGTON – Just over three years after the Biden management pledged to recalibrate relations with Saudi Arabia following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a notably warm reception during a visit to the White House on july 27, 2023. The visit, punctuated by a meeting with President Biden and an awkward exchange involving handshakes, underscores a pragmatic shift in U.S. foreign policy prioritizing strategic interests-including energy security and regional stability-over human rights concerns.
The transformation of Mohammed bin Salman from a diplomatic “pariah,” as President Biden once labeled him,to a welcomed guest reflects the complex geopolitical realities facing the United States.The ongoing war in Ukraine, rising global energy prices, and increasing competition with China have prompted a reassessment of alliances, especially with the world’s leading oil producer. This recalibration impacts not only U.S.-Saudi relations but also broader dynamics in the Middle East, perhaps influencing the ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the future of regional security architecture.
The Biden administration’s initial stance toward Saudi Arabia was sharply critical, releasing an assessment by the intelligence community that implicated Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi’s killing. This report led to sanctions on Saudi officials and a commitment to reassess the U.S.-Saudi partnership. Tho, as energy prices soared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the administration began seeking increased oil production from Saudi Arabia to help stabilize global markets.
During the July 27th meeting,Biden raised the issue of human rights,according to a White House statement,but the focus appeared to be on broader strategic concerns. President Trump, speaking at a rally in Iowa on July 29, 2023, contrasted Biden’s “fist bump” with his own more assertive physical interaction with the Crown Prince, stating, ”I grabbed that hand. I don’t give a hell where that hand’s been.” This comment highlighted the differing approaches to engaging with the Saudi leader.
The visit signals a willingness by the Biden administration to engage with Saudi Arabia despite concerns about its human rights record. The outcome of ongoing negotiations regarding a potential defense pact and the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and israel will be key indicators of the long-term implications of this policy shift.The situation remains fluid, with potential for both increased cooperation and continued tensions between the two nations.
