President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has traveled to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss normalizing relations between the kingdom and Israel. The White House has been actively pushing for this normalization as part of its efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. During the meeting, Sullivan and Prince Mohammed also addressed other crucial matters, such as finding a permanent solution to the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen.
The discussions centered around developing a shared vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East. The Biden administration is keen on fostering closer ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and this was made clear during the meeting. However, the Saudi government has been hesitant to proceed with normalization, particularly due to the right-wing government currently leading Israel and the escalating tensions with the Palestinians. Additionally, Israel is currently grappling with a political crisis over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to weaken its judiciary, which has triggered widespread protests.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has consistently advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza – territories that Israel captured during the 1967 war. However, the kingdom has also been actively seeking a nuclear cooperation deal that involves the United States. The concern among nonproliferation experts is that such an agreement could potentially allow the Saudis to enrich uranium, which raises concerns about the potential development of a nuclear weapons program. Crown Prince Mohammed has previously stated that if Iran were to possess an atomic bomb, Saudi Arabia would pursue one as well, possibly sparking a nuclear arms race in the already volatile region.
The meeting between Sullivan and Prince Mohammed was attended by Saudi Arabia’s defense and energy ministers, as well as the head of its Public Investment Fund. Notably, no images were released from the meeting. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed the meeting took place, stating that the discussions covered Saudi-U.S. strategic relations and various areas of cooperation, as well as the latest regional and international developments.
As the Biden administration works towards promoting stability and peaceful relations in the Middle East, the visit by the national security adviser to Saudi Arabia underscores the importance of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. While both countries face significant challenges and differing perspectives, the hope is that through dialogue and diplomatic efforts, progress can be made in bridging the divide and fostering a more harmonious region. The discussions also serve as a platform for addressing other critical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the potential risks associated with nuclear cooperation in the Middle East.
