In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking their first known encounter since Trump’s departure from the White House. This meeting, occurring shortly after a Biden administration official had to cancel his trip due to injury, has sparked speculation and interest in the current US-Saudi relations.
Trump’s meeting with bin Salman comes at a time when President Joe Biden is striving to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel to the negotiating table for a Middle East peace deal. The cancellation of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit due to a cracked rib has delayed these talks, leaving a diplomatic vacuum that Trump seems keen to fill.
The former president’s engagement with the Saudi leader raises questions about his influence on foreign policy and the Republican Party’s stance on the ongoing peace efforts. Trump’s history of deferring to bin Salman during his presidency, particularly in the aftermath of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, suggests a complex dynamic between the two leaders.
Implications for US Foreign Policy
The meeting’s timing is critical, as it coincides with Biden’s efforts to secure a peace deal that could include a Saudi-Israeli agreement and a US-Saudi defense pact. Trump’s interaction with bin Salman could potentially impact these plans, given his considerable sway over Republican lawmakers who might oppose Biden’s strategy.
As Trump possibly prepares for another presidential run, his relationship with key international figures like bin Salman will be closely scrutinized. The outcomes of such meetings could have far-reaching effects on the US’s role in Middle Eastern geopolitics and its approach to managing complex alliances.
