Biden Hugs the Saudis to Strong-Arm Israel
If the US president manages to resurrect a pact with Riyadh, he could moderate Israel while still isolating Iran. But that’s a big if.
Still open to one more partner.
Photographer: MANDEL NGAN/AFPIf the latest idea out of the White House works, it could bring the foreign policy of President Joe Biden full circle in less than a year, with an ironic twist. The US and Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg News, are once again getting close to a historic pact. But whereas its first iteration was intended as a three-way deal with Israel to isolate Iran, this version would aim just as much to pressure Israel.
Here’s the design of the entente on which the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel were converging before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7: The Saudis would make peace with Israel and forswear closer ties to China. In return, the US would offer the Saudis security guarantees, more weapons and civilian nuclear technology. Israel only had to promise vaguely that it would improve the lot of Palestinians. All three would benefit, not least by isolating and containing their common adversary, Iran.