Democrats aren’t happy about this.
In recent developments, it has been reported that former President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This conversation, highlighted by the New York Times, emerges against the backdrop of the Biden administration’s efforts to foster normalized relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
During his presidency, Trump achieved a significant milestone in foreign policy by facilitating the normalization of relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations. However, the specifics of the discussion between the 38-year-old de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia and the 77-year-old former president remain undisclosed, leaving the timing and content of their exchange unclear.
Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia was canceled due to a minor injury, causing speculation about the future of diplomatic engagements between the two nations. Despite this setback, efforts to reschedule the trip swiftly are underway, with a focus on addressing issues related to the US-led initiative aimed at fostering closer ties between Jerusalem and Riyadh.
Diplomatic progress hit a snag following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023, which President Biden suggested was aimed at disrupting potential talks between the US and Saudi Arabia. Biden indicated that the Saudis were inclined towards recognizing Israel, which could have had significant implications for regional stability and cooperation, particularly in countering threats posed by Iran.
Under the Trump administration, the United States brokered the historic Abraham Accords, which led to normalization agreements between Israel and countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain. Notably, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former White House adviser, played a pivotal role in negotiating these agreements and reportedly received substantial investments from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for his firm, Affinity Partners, following Trump’s departure from office.
Overall, these recent developments underscore the complexities and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, as various stakeholders navigate geopolitical dynamics and pursue initiatives aimed at promoting stability and cooperation in the region.
