Biden Picks Career Diplomat Michael Ratney as Envoy to Saudi Arabia

Michael Ratney. (AFP)
Michael Ratney. (AFP)
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Biden Picks Career Diplomat Michael Ratney as Envoy to Saudi Arabia

Michael Ratney. (AFP)
Michael Ratney. (AFP)

President Joe Biden intends to nominate career diplomat Michael Ratney to be US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the White House said on Friday.

Ratney previously served as the charge d'affaires at the US Embassy in Jerusalem and the US special envoy for Syria.

Ratney, whose official biography says he speaks Arabic and French, has previously been deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Doha and has had tours in Mexico City, Baghdad, Beirut, Casablanca, Bridgetown, and Washington.



Saudi Arabia Sends First Aid Shipment of an Airlift to Syria

The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sends First Aid Shipment of an Airlift to Syria

The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on Wednesday dispatched the first of several aid shipments to Syria. Departing from King Khalid International Airport, the plane carries food, shelter, and medical supplies destined for Damascus International Airport.
Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah told the Saudi Press Agency that the "airlift will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days."
He emphasized that these efforts demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian support under its longstanding tradition of aiding friendly nations worldwide. He highlighted the Kingdom's ongoing assistance since the Syrian crisis began in 2011 and Saudi Arabia’s significant role in international humanitarian aid.
Through the KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has consistently provided support to internally displaced Syrians and those in neighboring countries, as well as to victims of the northern Syrian earthquake in February 2023. From 2011 to the end of 2024, the Kingdom's total aid provided by Saudi Arabia to Syria amounted to $856,891,000.