Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Meet Trump in Washington

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler will visit Washington next month. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump. The three-day visit begins on November 17. This marks his first US trip since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The meeting will cover political, economic, and security issues. According to AFP, a source close to the government confirmed the itinerary. The visit follows a fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration.

A Visit Shaped by Geopolitical Shifts

The Crown Prince has not visited the United States for seven years. His absence followed the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi. A 2021 US intelligence report suggested MBS approved the operation. Saudi authorities have consistently denied this allegation.

The timing of the trip is significant. It comes amid ongoing discussions about normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Before the Gaza war, the two nations held tentative talks. Riyadh has since halted those discussions, demanding a Palestinian state.

Broader Implications for US-Saudi Relations

The US and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing partnership. It is based on oil access in exchange for military protection. This meeting could strengthen that alliance further. Some reports suggest Saudi Arabia seeks a formal US security guarantee.

President Trump visited Saudi Arabia in May. That trip resulted in promises of $600 billion in deals. The upcoming meeting could advance those discussions. It may also revive the stalled “mega-deal” for Saudi-Israeli normalization.

This high-stakes diplomatic engagement underscores the ongoing recalibration of Middle East alliances. The MBS Washington visit is poised to address critical security and political files, with potential ripple effects across the entire region.

Info at your fingertips

When is the Saudi Crown Prince visiting Washington?

The visit is scheduled for November 17. He will meet President Trump the following day. The trip is planned to last three days.

Why is this visit significant?

It is his first US trip since the 2018 Khashoggi incident. The meeting occurs amid delicate ceasefire efforts and normalization talks. Its outcomes could significantly influence Middle East diplomacy.

What is the ‘mega-deal’ being discussed?

It refers to a potential agreement for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel. In return, Saudi Arabia would seek US security guarantees and nuclear energy cooperation. Talks were paused after the Gaza war began.

How does this visit affect US-Saudi relations?

The meeting aims to strengthen the long-standing US-Saudi partnership. It follows a major Trump visit to Riyadh in May. Both nations are discussing enhanced security and economic cooperation.

What is Saudi Arabia’s stance on Israel?

Riyadh insists it will not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state. The kingdom has championed Palestinian statehood at the UN. It helped organize an international conference on the issue with France.