US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). The visit aims to advance the White House’s agenda of normalising relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The talks, which took place in Jeddah, covered a wide range of topics focused on fostering a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East. One of the primary discussions revolved around finding a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen, an issue that has plagued the region for years.
Another critical aspect of the meeting was the Biden administration’s desire to promote normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia. A White House National Security Council official, speaking on anonymity, revealed that Sullivan and Prince Mohammed discussed potential pathways to establish a normalised relationship between the two influential Middle Eastern powers.
While the Saudi Press Agency acknowledged the meeting, they provided minimal details, stating that the two sides discussed strategic relations and ways to enhance them in various fields. The gathering saw the attendance of Saudi Arabia’s defence and energy ministers and the head of its Public Investment Fund.
Implications for the Middle East Peace Process
The Trump administration had previously played a pivotal role in facilitating the “Abraham Accords,” a series of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. With Saudi Arabia being the most powerful and wealthy Arab state, a normalization deal between the kingdom and Israel could potentially reshape the dynamics in the region and significantly bolster Israel’s standing.
However, achieving such an agreement will not be easy, as Saudi Arabia has publicly stated that it will not officially recognize Israel until there is a resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The quest for normalisation with Saudi Arabia is seen as a heavy diplomatic challenge, but the Biden administration remains determined to engage in constructive dialogue and explore possibilities for progress.
Sullivan’s visit to Saudi Arabia followed Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to the kingdom the previous month. Blinken also advocated for improved relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Both visits underscore the United States’ commitment to fostering stability and cooperation in the Middle East. While also seeking to address various regional and global concerns, including the Yemeni conflict and global oil prices.
