Blinken Meets w/Abbas; Calls For PA Reform Before Gaining Gaza Control

Continuing a multi-day tour of the Middle East, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's meeting with leader of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas has taken place in Ramallah. A US State Dep't spox says the 'Blinken had a productive discussion with Abbas about administrative reforms,' and that the US supports 'tangible steps' towards the creation of a Palestinian state.

• Prior to the meeting, Blinken stated that he would discuss the PA's responsibility in reforming itself and bolstering its governance, with Washington seeing an overhaul of the PA, which governs the West Bank, necessary before it could take control of a post-war Gaza.
• Next, Blinken will travel to Bahrain for talks with King Hamad. Bahrain, a signatory of the Abraham Accords, has been one of the more restrained Gulf nations with regard to its response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a stance that will be backed fulsomely by the US.
• So far, Blinken's visit appears to have achieved little tangible impact in reducing tensions in the region. However, it may be seen as something of a success given that there has been no escalation in the conflagrations despite increased Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and a number of presumed Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.