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Jerusalem, Israel – President Biden will depart on Friday for the first direct flight from the Jewish state to Saudi Arabia, attending an energy summit in the Kingdom, the world’s largest oil exporter, and will be attended by Gulf countries.
Biden said one of the reasons for his trip was to reestablish US influence in the region.
“With so many problems at stake, we want to continue to lead the region and make it clear that we will not create a vacuum filled by China or Russia against the interests of both Israel and the United States. I think. Many other countries. ”
According to Middle Eastern experts interviewed by Fox News Digital, Biden’s goal in Jeddah is to lower the price of gasoline pumps for consumers in the United States. In exchange for lower fuel costs, Gulf countries want the world’s most powerful troops to stop Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapons and stop terrorist activity in the region.
There is no longer a “Pariah” state as Biden seeks help from Saudis as a gas-priced sky rocket
After Biden, who vowed to make Saudi Arabia a “Paria” nation in the 2020 election campaign, he will face a difficult battle to repair the tattered relationship between the Kingdom and the United States.
“It is unclear whether Saudi Arabia will pump more oil, because these decisions are largely based on the assessment of global market dynamics by energy policy leaders and what is good for their economic and strategic interests. It will be decided, “said Brian Caturis, Senior Fellow and Vice President. A policymaker at the Middle East Institute in Washington told Fox News Digital.
“The Biden team wants prices to go down and has asked Saudi Arabia to increase supply, but the decision depends primarily on their own decisions based on global market valuations, not on demand from the United States. Or other individual countries. “
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia is notorious for rejecting Biden’s request for telephone remarks amid rising oil prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Daniel Pipes, president of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, was more optimistic about Biden’s potential for success.
Pipe told Fox News Digital when asked if Riyadh would pump more oil to help lower gas prices.
Saudi Arabia wants “protection against Iran, respect for ongoing changes” [the reforms in the Kingdom]It’s a good market for oil sales. “
In return, the United States wants “friendly relations with oil,” a prominent Middle Eastern historian added.
Pipes pointed out the importance of relations between the two countries.
“Relationships dating back to 1945 are now questioned. Is the US government trying to make a single atrocity indefinitely central to its policy? Saudi Arabian monarchy Are you going to China? Perhaps things will return to what they used to be, but they don’t happen on their own, so this must be positively affirmed. ”
WHITE HOUSE DECLASSIFIES KHASHOGGI REPORT BLAMING SAUDI CROWN PRINCE
The atrocities he mentioned were the October 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist and US resident who contributed to the Washington Post at the Royal Consulate in Istanbul.
According to the Western government and Israel, the Iranian government and its willingness to manufacture nuclear weapons are elephants in the room of security threats in Saudi Arabia.
“Iran is the essential background of Saudi relations with the outside world, including Washington,” Pipes said. “Tehran not only threatens Riyadh at the security level, but also challenges Saudi’s claim to Ummah’s leadership. [Islamic community].. “
“Iran is Saudi Arabia’s greatest security concern, and Biden’s Plan A on Iran has not achieved its set goals, so Saudi leaders say what Biden’s Plan B is. I’d like to ask if there is one. The Biden team is reluctant to let go of the original plan in Iran. “
Biden’s Plan A is to return Tehran to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This is the official name of Iran’s nuclear trade, which provides sanctions to theocracy in exchange for temporary restrictions on theocracy’s atomic program.
Nuclear negotiations between the Iranian government and world powers are ongoing, but so far they have not been very successful. Israelis, Saudi Arabia, and additional US allies in the Middle East consider Biden’s approach to be seriously flawed as it injects over $ 100 billion in sanctions relief into the Iranian government and its battlefield. Iranian experts have long argued that the funds will be used for Tehran’s nuclear program, terrorism support and ballistic missile programs.
Biden shakes hands with former Israeli Prime Minister and launches “no handshake” policy shortly before Saudi Arabia’s meeting
“Saudi leaders also want a stronger US commitment to regional security and a clearer plan for the region’s long-term US strategy,” Katuris added.
About Saudi Arabia’s efforts Prince Mohammed bin Salman ArsaudObservers are looking at significant progress in reforming the ultra-Orthodox religious nation known for his initial MBS.
“The process of modernization is gradual. It’s far from perfect, but over the years Saudi Arabia isn’t quirky, it’s becoming a more ordinary country,” says Pipes.
“In the kingdom, socio-economic reforms, which are strongly popular with the next generation of Saudi Arabia, continue to move forward in important ways, further pushing old ideas based on Islam’s conservative interpretations to the bystanders. “Caturis said.
“Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that is intolerant of diverse views and still takes pesky steps to curb dissent. To respect basic human rights and freedoms, including religious freedom. There is a lot to do. “
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On Thursday, Biden was again asked about Khashoggi, and whether he would brooch Saudi Arabia and the topic.
“My view of Khashoggi was absolutely positive and clear, and I was never quiet about talking about human rights,” Biden said.
Observers say one sign of a successful meeting with Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday is to monitor the price of gas pumps on Main Street next week.