But that fist-pumping image was what the Saudis wanted — a boost of fame that put MBS first in a region where rivalries and power games are a real event. “I see the picture as a victory for President Biden, I think, because he has a partnership with one of the key partners of the United States, in the region and beyond. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key player in regional stability,” he told CNN in an exclusive interview. Biden first came to the desert kingdom, rather than other energy-rich Gulf kingdoms such as the United Arab Emirates or Qatar, and did business with the de facto leader of the nation he campaigned to make a “pariah.” But Biden signaled success, hinting that more oil would flow from the region to counter a reduced flow from Russia in the wake of Western sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But the President returned home without a public promise to increase oil production. Pressed by reporters on the issue, Biden said, “I’m doing everything I can to increase the supply,” adding that increases would be seen in weeks. “We’ll see more when we see gas stations start to lower their price in line with what they’re paying for gas,” he added. But there was more on Biden’s wish list — specifically his desire to increase regional stability by normalizing Saudi/Israeli relations, as well as filling what he called a “vacuum” caused by chilly US relations with MBS that it allows China and Russia to increase their influence in the Middle East. In addition to the “finish bump” photo op, MBS wants a clear strategy from the White House on the Gulf. Saudi Arabia specifically wants security guarantees, US partners for the myriad business ventures created by the Crown Prince’s ambitious “Vision 2030” and a partner in the Israeli government that can offer what it wants for improved relations. The questions surrounding all the issues addressed at the Jeddah meeting are: What is the cost and where is the compromise? Pain vs. gain. Biden says he won’t let Iran get a nuclear weapon. MBS has indicated that if he does, he will get his. And while Israel wants a strike option to prevent a nuclear Iran, MBS fears that a war could cripple his economy. But he wants the Iranian threat to disappear, while the White House signals that Russia is increasingly cooperating with Iran. No agreement negotiated in the region is ever simply bilateral. This was made more complicated at the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC + 3) — an alliance of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, as well as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan — – on Saturday the UAE and Iraq categorically ruled out joining any security agreement that could affect Iran. Riyadh sees the benefit of rapprochement with Israel, but realizes that if handled badly, it could diminish its towering role in the Muslim world, hurting not only Saudi Arabia, but also the US and Israel. The price of a Saudi-Israel deal, which even before Biden arrived seemed wildly ambitious, will be high. Had it been done during the Biden visit, the cost would have been even greater because the Saudis believe no Israeli leader can keep the commitments they want — currently a two-state Palestinian solution. Saudi Arabia is not publicly saying what security guarantees could offset this, but a free flow of weapons, a defensive missile shield to protect against Iran, and even NATO-style commitments to help the kingdom in extremis could be on its wish list. . with the tone of criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights. However, Biden’s visit was able to reduce Saudi-Israeli differences. In a press conference listing his “victories,” the first two successes Biden cited were a concession by Saudi Arabia to Israel and one by Israel to Saudi Arabia. The US president said that “the Saudis will open their airspace to all civil carriers… it means that Saudi Arabian airspace is now open for flights to and from Israel.” Biden called it a “tangible” first step toward a “broader normalization of relations.” The second item on Biden’s list was “a historic deal to turn a flashpoint at the heart of the Middle East’s wars into a zone of peace,” with the Saudis agreeing to concessions that ease Israel’s security concerns over strategic Tiran and Sanafir islands in the Red Sea. The inevitable backdrop to the meetings was a sense that the White House is playing catch-up in an area where many believe both the current and previous administrations have been negligent. US officials have been briefed on Russia’s growing support for Iran and a deal with Saudi Arabia to counter China’s influence through 5G technologies. If Biden arrived thinking he was ready to play his best diplomatic hand to improve relations amid energy shortages and security concerns, the first blow, despite the backlash, may have been this. Early readings suggest that Biden’s vision for future US-Middle East engagement was exactly what the Saudis wanted to hear, despite warnings of human rights abuses. If Biden is right and gas prices fall, that’s a win at home, too. But the hard work of improving relations will have just begun. the Saudis will continue to look for an invitation to Washington for MBS. If that were to happen, Biden would undoubtedly put a high price on it. Fists would be thin on the ground.
The Digest
UAE president arrives in France to discuss ‘future of energy’ between the two nations UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, popularly known as MBZ, was received by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday during a visit aimed at focusing on the “future of energy” between the two nations.
Background: Macron welcomed MBZ after he arrived at the Elysee Palace in what is his first visit outside the Middle East since taking office in May. The visit is also the first by a UAE leader to France since 1991, according to the Elysee Palace. The two countries will sign an agreement on Monday that will guarantee the supply of diesel from the United Arab Emirates to France, an Elysian source said. The two countries are also looking to create a fund for climate-related projects, as well as investment opportunities in other energy sectors such as hydrogen, nuclear and renewables, the same source told reporters on Friday.
Why it matters: After Biden’s landmark visit brought no guarantees, MBZ’s visit to Paris underscores the importance leaders now place on bilateral relations in an effort to secure energy sources. At a media briefing on Friday, MBZ’s Elysian diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash told reporters that “our oil has traditionally been sold in the Far East. I think right now there is more interest in our oil in Europe.. .so, apart from that, our interest with France is sustainable and future energy.”
Abu Dhabi court sentences Khashoggi’s US lawyer to three years in prison — state media
A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced American citizen Asim Ghafoor, the former lawyer of slain Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Khashoggi, to three years in prison for tax evasion and money laundering, state news agency WAM reported on Saturday, adding that the case came to light. when US authorities sought judicial assistance in their own investigations into Ghafoor.
Background: Ghafoor was convicted of committing “two crimes of tax evasion and money laundering related to a tax evasion enterprise” and sentenced to “three years in prison and a fine of three million dirhams ($817,000), with deportation from the UAE,” WAM have reported. US officials said on Saturday they were “aware” of reports that Ghafoor had been detained in the United Arab Emirates, but declined to provide further details about his arrest. “I will say there is no indication that it has anything to do with Khashoggi or anything else. But we do know,” said a senior administration official. A US State Department spokesman on Sunday said they expected Ghafoor to be treated humanely, given a fair trial and given consular access.
Why it matters: The arrest came amid Biden’s controversial visit to Saudi Arabia, where he eventually met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US President was heavily criticized for his trip, from which he returned home with no guarantee of more oil. When Biden met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Jeddah, both leaders ignored shouting questions about Khashoggi’s former lawyer. Biden publicly invited the UAE leader to Washington before the end of the year.
Khamenei adviser says Iran has technical capability to build nuclear bomb — Al Jazeera
Iran has the technical capability to build a nuclear bomb, but has not yet decided whether to build one, Kamal Harazi, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV channel on Sunday.
Background: “It’s no secret that we have the technical ability to build a nuclear bomb,” Kharrazi told Al Jazeera, adding that Iran was able to enrich uranium up to 60% in a few days and could easily increase it to 90% . , which is suitable for a nuclear bomb. Kharrazi added that the US has not provided guarantees that would preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, which is hampering the possibility of a deal. Iran had been in talks with world powers to revive a deal that would limit Tehran’s nuclear weapons capabilities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Talks have stalled in recent months over various sticking points.
Why it matters: Kharrazi’s comments come as President Biden returned from a Middle East tour visiting Israel and Saudi Arabia, where Israel had announced plans for a US-led air defense system with its Arab partners . The United Arab Emirates on Friday said it has no…
