As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen make progress leading to the end of a nine-year bloody war in the Middle East, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on the telephone with crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman to discuss the current situation.
The phone call between White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) reflects the Biden administration’s recognition of the progress being made towards finding a permanent end to the nine-year conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen. Despite strained relations between MBS and President Joe Biden over human rights and oil production concerns, the call highlights the importance of winding down the long and bloody war in Yemen as a top priority for the Biden administration.
The call followed a meeting between Saudi diplomat Mohammed bin Saeed al-Jaber and Houthi officials in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Sunday, aimed at accelerating negotiations on ending the war. The Biden administration appears to be actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and a resolution to the conflict, involving key stakeholders such as Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The situation in Yemen has been marked by widespread violence, humanitarian crises, and suffering for the civilian population. Finding a permanent end to the conflict is crucial for addressing the humanitarian crisis and promoting stability in the region. The Biden administration’s engagement with Saudi Arabia and other parties involved in the conflict reflects a commitment to diplomatic efforts to bring about a resolution and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Well-informed officials told ‘The Islamabad Telegraph the White House has expressed cautious optimism about ongoing negotiations to end the war in Yemen, with President Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, welcoming Saudi Arabia’s efforts to pursue a comprehensive roadmap for ending the conflict. A deal is reported to be close at hand, with a possible agreement within the next seven to 10 days, although no final agreement has been reached yet. Biden’s special envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, is being sent to Riyadh for follow-up talks, and CIA Director William Burns recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet with intelligence officials.
The negotiations come after Saudi Arabia reached a deal with Iran last month, in China, to restore diplomatic ties that were cut off in 2016. China has been positioning itself as a diplomatic player in the Middle East, and the White House has noted the significant progress made during earlier talks hosted by Iraq and Oman.
The war in Yemen, which began in 2014 when Iran-allied Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, has created a humanitarian disaster and pushed the country to the brink of famine. The conflict has killed over 150,000 people, including thousands of civilians, and has been a major focus of the Biden administration’s efforts in the Middle East.
The recent announcement by the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance to cut oil production could also impact global inflation and the U.S. economy. The production cuts, which are considered precautionary, may lead to higher gasoline prices and potentially more aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to lower inflation. However, the official stated that Sullivan and the crown prince did not dwell on the OPEC move during their discussions.
President Biden had previously criticized Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, but in July, amid rising oil prices, he visited Saudi Arabia and greeted the crown prince with a fist bump, signaling a shift in diplomatic approach.
The strained relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia
Off-the-record talks with concerned officials and background interviews have revealed that the Biden administration’s response to Saudi Arabia’s oil production cut in October last year was stronger compared to their reaction to the recent production cut. In October, the administration had mentioned “consequences” for Saudi Arabia due to their participation in the OPEC+ alliance’s decision to cut oil production, citing concerns about the impact of U.S. sanctions on Russia. However, in the recent production cut, President Biden stated that it would not be as bad as expected, indicating a more subdued response.
Additionally, Senator Lindsey Graham’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focused on ongoing reforms in the kingdom and trade between the two countries. The Saudis had also recently announced a substantial deal worth up to $37 billion for American aircraft manufacturer Boeing to supply jetliners to their national airlines. Senator Graham expressed interest in taking the U.S.-Saudi relationship to the next level, emphasizing the potential economic benefits and stability it could bring to the region.
Overall, it appears that the Biden administration’s stance towards Saudi Arabia may have evolved or softened in recent times, with a focus on economic opportunities and stability in the region, as evidenced by Senator Graham’s positive outlook on enhancing the U.S.-Saudi relationship. However, it’s important to note that geopolitical dynamics and foreign policy decisions can be complex and subject to various factors, and the situation may continue to evolve over time