The article discusses the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House, where he was received with great fanfare by President Trump. The visit was seen as a significant moment in US-Saudi relations, with Prince Mohammed promising $1tn in investment and announcing plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the US.
However, the article also notes that despite the lavish welcome, there were concerns about the implications of this deal for the region, particularly given Saudi Arabia's track record on human rights. The author suggests that the visit marked a "drift" in US Middle East policy, with Trump seeming to prioritize Saudi interests over those of Israel.
The article quotes several experts, including Sanam Vakil and Daniel Levy, who offer insights into the complexities of US-Saudi relations and the challenges of finding a balance between competing interests in the region. Levy notes that while there may be some superficial changes in policy, the underlying drivers remain largely the same, with US policymakers often taking their cues from Israel and other regional actors.
Overall, the article suggests that the visit marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, but also raises important questions about the implications of this deal for the region and the future of US policy in the Middle East.
However, the article also notes that despite the lavish welcome, there were concerns about the implications of this deal for the region, particularly given Saudi Arabia's track record on human rights. The author suggests that the visit marked a "drift" in US Middle East policy, with Trump seeming to prioritize Saudi interests over those of Israel.
The article quotes several experts, including Sanam Vakil and Daniel Levy, who offer insights into the complexities of US-Saudi relations and the challenges of finding a balance between competing interests in the region. Levy notes that while there may be some superficial changes in policy, the underlying drivers remain largely the same, with US policymakers often taking their cues from Israel and other regional actors.
Overall, the article suggests that the visit marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, but also raises important questions about the implications of this deal for the region and the future of US policy in the Middle East.