The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, has been dispatched to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in President Biden’s quest to reshape US-Saudi relations, according to high-level US sources. Sullivan’s visit is seen as a critical move towards initiating talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS.
Sullivan’s Diplomatic Mission to Saudi Arabia
The primary objective behind Sullivan’s mission is to facilitate discussions around a potential deal to elevate US-Saudi relations. Part of this arrangement would incorporate a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel – a diplomatic breakthrough that could set a precedent for other Arab and Muslim-majority nations to follow suit.
This diplomatic initiative aims to be wrapped up before the frenzy of the presidential election campaign takes over President Biden’s schedule, as relayed by US officials earlier this year.
The Potential Impact of a US-Saudi Deal
While the proposed deal might trigger a backlash among Democrats, causing Biden significant political expenditure, its successful fruition could be a historic milestone in Middle East peace. The potential for a domino effect with more Arab and Muslim-majority countries normalizing relations with Israel could reset the course of US-Saudi relations, bringing it back on track.
The Delegation and the Talks
Accompanying Sullivan on his journey were Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East czar, and Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to Biden on energy and infrastructure matters. The New York Times was the first to report on the visit.
In his discussions with MBS and other high-ranking Saudi officials, Sullivan addressed bilateral and regional issues. The White House, in a statement, disclosed that the talks centred around “initiatives to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region interconnected with the world”.
Progress on Yemen Truce and Future Consultations
Sullivan’s discussions also touched on the “significant progress” made in building on the benefits of the Yemen truce that has held for the past 16 months. The White House statement added, “Both delegations agreed to maintain regular consultations and follow up on matters discussed throughout the day”.
With the Biden administration actively striving to redefine US-Saudi relations, the dialogue opened by Sullivan’s visit to MBS and other Saudi officials marks an important step towards this goal. The potential US-Saudi deal could potentially reconfigure the dynamics of the Middle East, paving the way for more normalized relations between Arab countries and Israel.
