Why Is Biden In Saudi Arabia

President Biden recently departed for Saudi Arabia, his first international trip since being elected into office. As he prepares to meet with Saudi leaders, his mission to the country has been met with public scrutiny. Many are questioning what Biden seeks to accomplish while in Saudi Arabia and why such a trip is necessary.The United States’ relations with Saudi Arabia have been turbulent for quite some time. For many, the country has been seen as a Middle Eastern presence with a lack of human rights and an ongoing conflict with the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Now, Biden is in the country to follow through with Obama’s policies concerning them and to potentially initiate a new wave of positive changes.

While speaking to the press, President Biden laid out the four main objectives he looks to accomplish. Firstly, strengthen the international partnership between the two countries; secondly, convince Saudi Arabia to produce and purchase renewable energy sources; thirdly, discuss the situation surrounding the Houthi rebels and lastly, urge Saudi Arabia to push for greater equality for all citizens. Clearly, Biden’s mission is focused on bringing about solutions to some of the more pressing current issues.

Trump’s relations with the oil-rich kingdom had continued to deteriorate until his foreign policies left the United States and Saudi Arabia in a tense state. Biden is now seeking to make amends with the country and build a better partnership. This prospect has caused the public to question what steps he will take during his visit.

To get into that subject, experts from various backgrounds have given their own perspectives. According to former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan, Biden’s goal is to reengage Saudi Arabia to be “more of a positive force.” He further explains that the matter of Yemen is a human rights issue and that Biden will try to find a way to convince the Saudis to end the conflict, as he believes that they are the ones escalating the situation. From this standpoint, we can see that Biden is attempting to make progress in regards to Saudi Arabia’s involvement with Yemen.

On the other hand, human rights activist Rashid Badreldin commented that Biden is not doing enough when it comes to Yemen. He believes that the President should be taking a harder stance in order to end the conflict. His concern is that the people of Yemen remain stuck in a traumatizing situation. With this in mind, Biden faces a difficult road of balancing the need to improve relations, without compromising the freedoms of those in Yemen.

Impact on Oil Market

The impact of Biden’s mission in Saudi Arabia goes beyond just its relations with the US. Many speculate that a result could be an increase in the price of oil, due to the US pushing Saudi Arabia to produce and purchase renewable energy sources. Saudi Arabia is the biggest oil producer in the world, and according to the US Energy Information Administration, it has one of the cheapest oil reserves. This means that if Biden succeeds in establishing a shift towards renewable energy sources, oil prices will increase significantly.

This would no doubt draw criticism from many sides, as the rest of the world who rely on oil for energy may be negatively affected. This scenario adds another layer of complexity to Biden’s mission, as he will have to take into consideration the global implications of any decisions he makes regarding the country’s energy production.

Defense Cooperation

Amid the discussion of Biden’s mission, the topic of arms sales has arisen. Many defence analysts have put forward the idea of the US seeking to limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia in order to reduce the country’s military power and force them to take a less aggressive stance on the matter of Yemen. While there is no confirmation that Biden is planning on taking such an action, it is clear that his objective is to get the Saudis to make decisions in the interest of global peace.

This possibility also presents itself with a great opportunity for the US to gain leverage over Saudi Arabia. Biden could, in theory, demand more in return for the US lifting the arms embargo, which could help him push things in the US’s favour. However, this would need careful planning in order to avoid diplomatic issues.

Biden’s CoreObjectives

At the end of the day, a trip to Saudi Arabia is a significant step forward for the Biden administration. Challenges and doubts are certainly present, but Biden is well-aware of the risks. His mission to meet with Saudi leaders is a chance to re-establish a working US-Saudi relationship, free from the disasters of the Trump era.

It appears that his core objectives are to inspire a peaceful solution for Yemen, to promote alternative sources of energy and to push forward agendas that will bring about more equality for all citizens. If he succeeds in even some of these, this trip could be the start of a new era, in which the US and Saudi Arabia can become genuine partners.

Human Rights and Equality

Another key topic that Biden is likely to cover is that of human rights. The US has heavily criticised Saudi Arabia in the past for their lack of progress when it comes to this issue. Biden’s objective here is to encourage the country to become more tolerant in regards to religious freedoms and other forms of self-expression, as well as to further advocate for more equal rights between men and women.

In addition to this, Biden is expected to address the issue of extremist groups in the region, which could potentially lead to a more secured and peaceful Middle East. This would be a great accomplishment for the Biden administration, and it could also help promote stronger relations between the US and the Gulf nations.

Suggestions and Strategies

Overall, the trip to Saudi Arabia presents Biden with an opportunity to revise the country’s current policies in several ways. If Biden seeks to lay out the groundwork for a more constructive and beneficial relationship between the two nations, then the most suitable approach would be for him to focus on finding common ground with the Saudi leaders.

The US could suggest various strategies, such as negotiations, financial incentives and even military sanctions. In addition, as part of Biden’s mission, he could also introduce more constructive dialogues and discussions with regards to the current political landscape in the Middle East. This approach could be beneficial to all involved parties as it would allow for the exchange of insights and perspectives from various parties.

Economic Cooperation

Biden’s mission in Saudi Arabia could also serve to improve economic ties between the two nations. Saudi Arabia is an economically powerful nation, and the Biden administration could present an opportunity to create and nurture a strong economic relationship between the two countries. Biden and the Saudi officials could discuss the implementation of certain policies that benefit both countries, such as joint investments and the negotiation of better trade terms.

In addition to this, Biden could also take the initiative to introduce more people-focused policies, such as improved access to healthcare, better labour conditions and a focus on educational advancement, which could help increase the number of skilled and qualified workers in Saudi Arabia and improve the quality of their lives.

Role of the US

The role of the US in changing Saudi Arabia’s practices is also highly debatable. While the US can certainly influence the policies of foreign countries, the extent to which it can do so is limited. Therefore, it is important for Biden to be mindful of possible backlash and to ensure that any changes he seeks to implement in Saudi Arabia will not affect its long-term stability or cause any diplomatic friction.

At the end of the day, the US can only provide suggestions and advice when it comes to Saudi Arabia. It is ultimately up to the Saudi leaders to accept any possible changes and commit to abiding by them. Biden’s mission to Saudi Arabia may not be the most prudent or beneficial one, but it could be the first step in the long and arduous process of making the Middle East a safer and more prosperous place for all.

Jose Richard

Jose M. Richard is a journalist and author based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Jose has written extensively on Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region. Jose is passionate about promoting understanding of the region and its people, and his work has been recognised with international awards.

Leave a Comment