Introduction:
In a highly unusual move, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was made to wait for hours to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) during a visit to Riyadh in July 2023. Blinken had arrived in Saudi Arabia seeking to mend ties with the kingdom, which have been strained since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. However, MBS's decision to keep Blinken waiting was seen by many as a sign of disrespect and a snub to the US.
The incident has raised questions about the future of US-Saudi relations. Is Saudi Arabia no longer interested in pleasing the US? Is the relationship between the two countries heading for a divorce? This article will explore the implications of the incident for US-Saudi relations and what it means for the future of the US in the Middle East
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| The American Foreign Minister Had to Wait for Hours to Meet the Saudi Crown Prince: What |
Background:
The US and Saudi Arabia have been close allies for decades. Saudi Arabia is a major supplier of oil to the US, and the two countries have cooperated on a range of security issues in the Middle East. However, the relationship has been strained in recent years, due to a number of factors, including the Khashoggi murder, the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, and the Biden administration's criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
The Incident:
In July 2023, Blinken visited Riyadh in an attempt to mend ties with Saudi Arabia. However, his visit was marred by the incident in which he was made to wait for hours to meet with MBS. According to reports, Blinken arrived at the palace for his scheduled meeting with MBS, but was told that the crown prince was running late. Blinken was then kept waiting for several hours, with no explanation.
Eventually, Blinken was allowed to meet with MBS, but the incident had already caused damage to the relationship between the two countries. Many analysts saw MBS's decision to keep Blinken waiting as a sign of disrespect and a snub to the US.
Implications for US-Saudi Relations:
The incident is likely to have a negative impact on US-Saudi relations. It is a sign that Saudi Arabia is no longer as willing to accommodate US interests as it once was. MBS is clearly emboldened by the fact that the US is dependent on Saudi oil and that the Biden administration is reluctant to confront him on human rights issues.
The incident is also a sign that Saudi Arabia is becoming more assertive in its foreign policy. MBS is increasingly willing to challenge the US and pursue his own interests, even if they conflict with US interests. This is a worrying trend for the US, as Saudi Arabia is a major regional power and a key ally in the Middle East.
Conclusion:
The incident in which Blinken was kept waiting for hours to meet with MBS is a significant development in US-Saudi relations. It is a sign that the relationship is becoming more strained and that Saudi Arabia is becoming more assertive in its foreign policy. The US will need to carefully calibrate its approach to Saudi Arabia in the coming years to avoid a further deterioration in the relationship.
Additional Thoughts:
The incident also has implications for the future of the US in the Middle East. The US has long relied on Saudi Arabia as a key ally in the region. However, MBS's growing assertiveness and his willingness to challenge the US is making it more difficult for the US to maintain its influence in the Middle East.
The US will need to find new ways to engage with the region and to build relationships with other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The US also needs to develop a more coherent and strategic approach to the Middle East, one that takes into account the changing geopolitical landscape and the rise of new powers such as China and Russia.
The US-Saudi relationship is at a crossroads. The Biden administration has an opportunity to reset the relationship on a new footing, one that is based on mutual respect and shared interests. However, the administration will need to be willing to stand up to MBS and to challenge him on human rights issues. If the administration fails to do so, the US-Saudi relationship is likely to continue to deteriorate, with negative consequences for both countries and for the region as a whole.
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