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 Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Jordanian FM, Receives Message from South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Jordanian FM, Receives Message from South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a phone call from Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two sides condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, describing them as a violation of the two countries' sovereignty and a setback to ongoing efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

They also reviewed recent developments and discussed joint efforts to enhance security and stability across the region.

The Saudi Foreign Minister also received a written message from his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun concerning bilateral relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kang Shin-chul at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh.

The meeting also reviewed cooperation between the two friendly countries and a discussion of regional and international topics.

 


Faisal bin Farhan, Grossi Discuss Nuclear Non-proliferation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
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Faisal bin Farhan, Grossi Discuss Nuclear Non-proliferation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in Riyadh.

During the meeting on Wednesday, the two sides reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IAEA, particularly in the areas of nuclear non-proliferation and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

They also discussed a number of issues and topics of mutual interest.


Bahrain Arrests 15 People with Links to Iran’s IRGC

Field operatives arrested for implementing inciting directives from Iran's agents in Bahrain (BNA)
Field operatives arrested for implementing inciting directives from Iran's agents in Bahrain (BNA)
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Bahrain Arrests 15 People with Links to Iran’s IRGC

Field operatives arrested for implementing inciting directives from Iran's agents in Bahrain (BNA)
Field operatives arrested for implementing inciting directives from Iran's agents in Bahrain (BNA)

The Bahraini Ministry of Interior has said that 15 people accused of having links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been arrested.

The ministry said Wednesday investigations and security reports indicated that the suspects were responsible for carrying out incitement directives by attempting to influence citizens, particularly young people, with the aim of drawing them into activities criminalized by law.

It added that they exploited social infiltration methods to establish cells tasked with advancing the agendas of illegal entities.

The ministry said legal proceedings are underway against the detainees, while search and investigation operations continue to identify and take action against anyone found to be involved in the network or in activities that violate the law.

The ministry stressed that the movements of those involved had been under continuous monitoring and surveillance, saying that the recent measures were aimed at safeguarding the security and safety of all members of society.

It reiterated that it will continue to confront anyone seeking to undermine civil peace, spread discord, or incite division within Bahraini society.