Yet again, Iran lurks in background.
Biden’s Saudi reset takes a hit….
US President Joe Biden called the OPEC+ decision this week to cut production by 2 million barrels a day (bpd) a « disappointment,” and he’s right. Top administration officials warned Saudi leaders that a decision to cut production would be a « total disaster » and possibly a « hostile act, » and Riyadh did it anyway, according to the scoop from CNN.
Biden once again is getting pummeled, including by many in his party, for his July meeting (and fist bump) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud, commonly referred to by his initials MBS. The perception among critics is that Biden was played by MBS. The oil price increase has consequences for the US and its allies, as well as developing countries who will be hit even harder.
…but it could get worse
Yes, oil was unquestionably top of mind when Biden went to the kingdom, but he also was there to fix a troubled relationship for a range of national security reasons. It was, as we wrote here, one of the most consequential visits by a US president to the region in years. Those reasons stand.
This week shows that the US-Saudi reset is still a work in progress, nowhere near where Washington feels it needs to be, especially after the July visit. It is a complicated, transactional relationship, with little of the warmth at the top which has often characterized ties over more than seven decades.
Biden, for his part, is weighing next steps, and he’s right to keep things in check, especially from inflamed reactions within his own party, and with midterm elections four weeks away.
Saudi policy in perspective: Seven takeaways
Here are seven takeaways as the administration weighs its next steps, which will affect not only US-Saudi ties, but also Iran, global energy security, and a wide range of national security challenges in the Middle east.
• No regrets on reset. Asked if he now regretted his trip to Saudi Arabia, Biden said this week, « The trip was not essentially for oil.
