Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Returns too Washington for white House Meeting
WASHINGTON (AP) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a return visit to Washington today, receiving a welcome at teh White House as he seeks to solidify ties with the U.S. and navigate complex geopolitical challenges. The visit marks a notable step in reestablishing Prince Mohammed’s position on the global stage following a period of relative isolation after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Discussions between Prince Mohammed and President Trump are expected to center on maintaining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, shared concerns regarding Iran‘s regional influence, and the ongoing civil war in Sudan. A key objective for the Saudi delegation is securing formal assurances from the U.S. regarding the scope of military protection for the kingdom, though any such commitments would require Congressional ratification.
Beyond security concerns, Saudi Arabia is poised to announce a multi-billion dollar investment in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure and outline new cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector,according to a senior Trump governance official. This investment reflects Prince Mohammed’s broader ambition to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil,focusing on sectors like mining,technology,and tourism.
The visit occurs amidst calls from 11 human rights groups urging the Trump administration to leverage its relationship with Saudi Arabia to press for improvements in human rights and press freedom.activists cite continued repression of dissent within the kingdom, including the arrest of human rights defenders, journalists, and political dissidents, as well as a documented surge in executions.
“Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is trying to rebrand himself as a global statesman, but the reality at home is mass repression, record numbers of executions, and zero tolerance for dissent,” said Sarah Yager, Washington director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement. “U.S. officials should be pressing for change, not posing for photos.”
The U.S. is also presenting a plan for Gaza that authorizes an international stabilization force and envisions a possible future path to an independant Palestinian state.