Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met to discuss an almost ‘finalized’ draft of a deal between Washington and Riyadh, the Saudi state news agency reported on Sunday.
The discussions come in the wake of reports that a Washington and Riyadh are close to an agreement for U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance, even as an Israel-Saudi normalization deal envisioned as part of a Middle East “grand bargain” remains beyond reach.
The de facto Saudi leader and President Joe Biden’s top security aide also discussed the need to find a “credible track for bringing about the two-state solution” for Israel and the Palestinians, stop the war against Hamas militants in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, the statement said.
The White House said on Friday that Sullivan would visit Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss bilateral and regional matters, including Gaza and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
Just in case there was any doubt about whether Biden is a liar and a hypocrite, this is the same Saudi Arabia that he vowed to “make a pariah” state for the murder and dismemberment of a US permanent resident journalist and frequent critic of the repressive regime and also the same Saudi Arabia that had Biden vow “consequences” after they cut oil production a couple years ago.
As with Israel, Biden has no problem being the best friend of an oppressive regime with no respect for human rights as long as there’s bribes and/or fossil fuel deals to be had.
Disclaimer for those adhering to the tribalist binary: YES I know that the Mango Mussolini is even worse on all of the above but NO that doesn’t make it ok in any way.