Thursday, 12 Jun 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Biden vows U.S. will stay in Middle East to limit influence of Russia, Iran
World

Biden vows U.S. will stay in Middle East to limit influence of Russia, Iran

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Biden vows U.S. will stay in Middle East to limit influence of Russia, Iran
SHARE
LA Times

Noah Bierman, Tracy Wilkinson

July 16, 2022, 10:29 AM

President Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, far right, attend the Gulf Cooperation Council Saturday.
President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, far right, attend the Gulf Cooperation Council Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Evan Vucci/Associated Press)

Wrapping up his first Middle East trip since taking office, President Biden vowed Saturday that the U.S. will remain engaged in the region to counter the influence of Russia and China and to combat the threat posed by Iran.

Biden outlined his vision for the Middle East during a meeting in this Red Sea coastal city with leaders from nine Arab countries, a day after he held bilateral talks with the controversial leader of Saudi Arabia.

“The United States is clear eyed about challenges in the Middle East,” Biden said in a speech that capped a four-day trip to the region that included meetings with top Israeli and Palestinian officials. “Let me say clearly that the United States is going to remain an active, engaged partner in the Middle East. … We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran [and] will seek to build on this moment with active, principled American leadership.”

Biden, who was scheduled to head back to Washington later Saturday, sat with the leaders of the six Persian Gulf nations, Egypt, Iraqand Jordan at a large, roundtable in an ornate hotel ballroom under a crystal chandelier. Reporters were kept at a distance and not allowed to ask questions.

Throughout Biden’s trip, his first to the Middle East as president, administration officials have sought to link Russia with Iran, hoping to rally more support in the global effort to isolate the Kremlin, which continues to maintain close ties with Middle Eastern countries. None of these nations has joined the U.S. and its European allies in sanctioning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, national security advisor Jake Sullivan accused Iran of plotting to sell hundreds of weapons-capable drones to Russia. On Saturday he said the administration has evidence that Russian officials visited Iranian airfields to watch demonstrations of the technology.

The White House released images that he said were captured in June showing the delegation.

“What’s happening in the Middle East, I mean, Russia is effectively making a bet on Iran,” an administration official said on Saturday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added, “We are making a bet on a more integrated, more stable, more peaceful, prosperous Middle East region.”

Biden used the trip to highlight the gradual opening of ties between Israel and some Arab nations that until recently had not officially recognized the country. Washington is attempting to build an integrated air defense system that includes Israel and several of the Arab nations as a bulwark against Iran.

Biden also made the case for increased oil production, especially from Saudi Arabia, among the world’s largest petroleum producers. Even if Saudi Arabia adds one or two million barrels a day of crude, however, it’s not likely to have an impact on prices at the pump in the U.S.

The most controversial part of the trip, however, was Biden’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is implicated in the 2018 slaying of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Saudi journalist. Mohammed has also been sharply criticized by human rights advocates for repressing dissent by women, minorities and activists.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden sharply chastised Saudi leadership and said he hoped to make the country a “pariah” over the slaying of Khashoggi and other human rights abuses. Upon taking office, Biden toned down that criticism. Caught between his rhetoric and the need to reduce oil prices, Biden sought to ease tensions with Saudi Arabia by meeting Mohammed, framing it as part of a broader conference with Arab leaders and as an effort to improve security in the region.

Hoping to avoid a photograph of him shaking Mohammed’s hand, Biden gave him a first bump instead ahead of their meetings Friday.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets President Biden with a fist bump.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets President Biden with a fist bump.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets President Biden with a fist bump after his arrival in Saudi Arabia on Friday. (Saudi Press Agency via Associated Press)

Khashoggi’s fiancee, human rights advocates and the publisher of the Washington Post slammed Biden anyway. “The fist bump between President Biden and Mohammed bin Salman was worse than a handshake — it was shameful,” said Fred Ryan, the publisher of the newspaper, which employed Khashoggi.

Biden said on Friday that Mohammed told him he was not personally responsible for Khashoggi’s slaying. The president claimed he told Mohammed that he thought the prince was.

Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed and his body dismembered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by a Saudi hit squad. U.S. intelligence services concluded that the squad was dispatched by the crown prince.

Biden on Saturday again did not mention Khashoggi in his public remarks, but he did appear to allude to him in the final public meeting with other Arab leaders.

Seated next to Mohammed, Biden devoted a section of his speech to the importance of tolerating dissent as a way to unlock innovation and of building accountable institutions.

“I’ve gotten plenty of criticism over the years,” Biden said. “It’s not fun.”

“No country gets it right all the time, even most of the time, including the United States,” he added. “But our people are our strength. Our countries with the confidence to learn from the mistakes grow stronger.”

Bierman reported from Jeddah and Wilkinson from Washington.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article 2 kids among 6 dead in Montana highway pileup, 8 others hurt 2 kids among 6 dead in Montana highway pileup, 8 others hurt
Next Article At least 234 dead or hurt in Haiti gang violence from July 8-12: UN At least 234 dead or hurt in Haiti gang violence from July 8-12: UN

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

South Africa’s Durban floods: At least 20 die as rain and mudslides cause havoc

Many residents along the coast fear their homes may collapse after mudslidesAt least 20 people…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

‘EA Sports activities Faculty Soccer 25’ assessment: Why it places ‘Madden’ to disgrace

It is cliche to say however faculty soccer is again. And it solely feels trite…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

EU: 2022 must see action on oceans, biodiversity, plastics

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The European Union’s environment chief said Thursday that 2022 must be…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Khloé Kardashian Known as Hypocrite After Criticizing L.A. Mayor Over Wildfire Response

Khloé Kardashian is getting attacked for slamming L.A. metropolis's Mayor for allegedly compromising the hearth…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

NSW authorities failing to measure or scale back playing hurt, damning audit finds
World

NSW authorities failing to measure or scale back playing hurt, damning audit finds

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
NHS, homes, nuclear submarines: Labour units out its spending plans – podcast
World

NHS, homes, nuclear submarines: Labour units out its spending plans – podcast

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Pentagon launches evaluation of US-UK-Australia Aukus safety alliance
World

Pentagon launches evaluation of US-UK-Australia Aukus safety alliance

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia information stay: productiveness commissioner warns of job cuts coming from AI; aged care supplier to shut
World

Australia information stay: productiveness commissioner warns of job cuts coming from AI; aged care supplier to shut

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?