(OurNationNews.com) Saudi Arabia, one of the U.S.’ long-time allies and biggest trading partners in the Middle East may look to strengthen ties with a U.S. rival after flubs and poorly-coordinated diplomacy efforts by the administration of President Joe Biden.
Even before the beginning of Biden’s term as president, the chief executive drove a wedge between the two countries, after he said in a debate that if voted into the White House, he would take steps to make Saudi Arabia “the pariah that they are” following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was killed inside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist who earned the ire of the Saudi royal family after writing articles for the Washington Post that were critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who effectively rules Saudi on behalf of his father King Salman.
As president, however, Biden would later backtrack on his statements, saying that statements in the past were only meant to “reorient” Saudi’s harsh policies, and were never meant to sever ties between the two countries.
Ironically writing an op-ed for the Washington Post, Biden said he acknowledged the opposition to his trip to Saudi Arabia. However, he gave assurances that his stand on human rights will remain “on the agenda when I travel abroad, as they will be during this trip.”
However, it seems that the Saudis are not quick to forget slights, as Prince Khalid bin Salman, who serves as defense minister for the oil-producing giant, met recently with his counterpart from China, Dong Jun, and General Zhang Youxia, China’s highest ranking military official. Also included were contingents from both countries comprised of several of their respective high-ranking military and defense officials.
On the agenda were ways the two countries could boost a strategic defense partnership, as well as ostensibly boost Saudi’s military might with China-made technology.
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