The White House formally announced that President Biden would visit the oil-rich kingdom in mid-July despite having denounced it as a “pariah” state after the assassination of a dissident.
Tag: Mohammed bin Salman (1985- )
Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden to Ensure Saudi Ties Serve U.S.
A letter to President Biden ahead of his planned trip to Saudi Arabia raises concerns about the kingdom’s cooperation with China on ballistic missiles and its human rights violations.
Your Friday Briefing
Ukraine says Russia controls 20 percent of its territory.
Biden to Travel to Saudi Arabia, Ending Its ‘Pariah’ Status
As a candidate, President Biden vowed to punish the kingdom for the brutal assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. But now he wants to rebuild relations as he seeks to lower gas prices and isolate Russia.
Turkey’s Erdogan Heads to Saudi Arabia to Ease Tensions
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is visiting the kingdom for the first time in nearly five years, signaling a mending of relations over the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Turkey Moves Closer to Ending Khashoggi Murder Trial Without Conclusion
Turkey’s justice minister said he would agree to transfer the trial to Saudi Arabia, effectively ending a case that rights groups hoped could offer a measure of justice.
Yemeni Rebel Attack Sets Saudi Oil Facility Ablaze
Saudi officials accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of launching the attack, which cast a shadow over a Formula One car race aimed at international spectators.
Saudi Arabia Executes 81 People
It was the kingdom’s largest mass execution in years. In many cases, the charges involved “not a drop of blood,” a rights activist said.
Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Is Freed From Prison
Amnesty International welcomed news of the release of Raif Badawi, whose case became a lightening rod for rights campaigners and reflected Saudi Arabia’s lack of tolerance for dissent.
Israeli leader, Naftali Bennett, Meets Bahrain Counterpart, Signaling Regional Shift
But the trip by Naftali Bennett, the first visit to Bahrain by an Israeli prime minister, also highlighted how the new relationship remains far from a society-wide compact.