President Biden Departs Israel For Saudi Arabia

President Biden has concluded a short visit to the West Bank and will now depart for Saudi Arabia for a much anticipated meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

• On Israel, the White House has distanced itself from the hawkish comments of Israeli caretaker PM Yair Lapid on Iran. For the White House, a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear escalation is still the preferred path. According to spox john Kirby, a JCPOA deal remains ready to go and awaiting approval from Tehran.
• This evening, Biden will hold a working session with MbS. The meeting has been subject to considerable debate over the ethics of restoring relations with MbS following his role in the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• The general consensus is that the meeting won’t bring down energy prices, but it is an essential step in maintaining US influence in the region, especially considering the rising influence of China
• Colm Quinn writes: “So if there is no love lost between [Biden and MbS], today will show how much the crown prince wants to invest in the relationship. Although the two are expected to meet later today, we should see a declaration of intent the moment Biden steps off Air Force One.”
• Firas Maksad of Foreign Policy: “Progressives and human rights advocates worry the president will sacrifice U.S. values for short-term Faustian bargains in an attempt to secure cheap oil and expand Arab-Israeli normalization.”
• Maksad concludes that these “difficult demands" [...] "are worth considering if [Biden] is determined to challenge Russia’s adventurism and China’s economic assertiveness around the world. He can do so by keeping this strategic region—and its resources and waterways—firmly within the United States’ orbit.”
• 11:15 ET 16:15 BST: Biden bilat with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
• 11:45 ET 16:45 BST: Biden working session with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Ministers.