Democrats Disagree Over Relationship with Saudi Arabia

US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
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Democrats Disagree Over Relationship with Saudi Arabia

US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)

US Democratic Representatives have tackled the Saudi-US relationship, with Representative Adam Smith warning against launching vague and incomprehensible threats against Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said President Joe Biden is willing to begin reevaluating the US-Saudi ties after the Kingdom and its oil-exporting allies announced production cuts of two million barrels per day.

In statements to CNN, Smith stressed that it is necessary to understand how Saudi Arabia views the situation in Yemen, and Saudi officials felt that the US did not help them while they were being attacked.

He criticized the vague statements on the reassessment of US relations with Saudi Arabia, saying some are demanding a freeze, which he does not understand.

Smith was referring to the statements of the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez, who demanded a freeze of cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including arms sales.

He criticized the statements of Menendez - who is also a Democrat - saying they have no clear definition of the meaning of the freeze in relations, adding that suspension of arms sales would allow Saudi Arabia to have closer relationships with Russia and China.

Smith explained that if the US suspended the arms deal with Saudi Arabia, it would buy weapons from other countries, such as Russia and China, warning that Beijing might seize the opportunity to enter the largest market in the Middle East, which would constitute a big challenge for Washington.

In another interview with CNN, Kirby said about Saudi Arabia that “the President has been very clear that this is a relationship that the US needs to continue to reevaluate.”

"I think that is where he is, and he is willing to work with Congress to think through what that relationship ought to look like going forward," he said.

US observers described the Biden administration as "blundering," noting that it tries to escape crises by blaming other parties.

They indicated that Biden previously blamed the Russian President and the Russian-Ukrainian war for the rise in oil prices last summer, and now he blames Saudi Arabia.

They believe Biden is trying to deflect attention from criticism of his economic policies and push a massive financial aid package in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to the student debt relief, bringing the national debt to unprecedented levels, surpassing $31 trillion.



Saudi Arabia Dispatches 81st Flight in Ongoing Humanitarian Air Bridge to Gaza

The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Dispatches 81st Flight in Ongoing Humanitarian Air Bridge to Gaza

The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)
The plane was loaded with essential food baskets and shelter kits. (SPA)

Saudi dispatched on Saturday its 81st relief plane to the Gaza Strip.

Operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and coordinated with the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, the plane arrived in Egypt’s El-Arish carrying essential food baskets and shelter kits destined for Gaza.

This ongoing air bridge is a key component of the Kingdom's commitment to alleviating the severe living conditions of the Palestinian people and providing vital humanitarian support to Gaza.


Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister on Re-election

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister on Re-election

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent on Saturday a cable of congratulations to Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her re-election.

The Crown Prince wished her success and the people of Japan further progress and prosperity.


Gulf Leaders Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Founding Day

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Gulf Leaders Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Founding Day

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Qatar and Bahrain congratulated on Saturday the Saudi leadership on Founding Day.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani sent cables of congratulations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the occasion.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, cables on the occasion.

In his cable to King Salman, King Hamad wish him continued health and happiness and the people of Saudi Arabia further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.

He hailed Saudi Arabia for its achievements across various sectors, which have strengthened the nation's position regionally and internationally.

He expressed his profound pride in the deep-rooted relations binding the two countries and their peoples, noting the continuous growth of these ties across all levels.