South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recently met with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Biden Administration’s efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and create a US-Saudi defense pact. Graham has become a key diplomatic channel with bin Salman and has been briefing Biden’s team on their conversations. During their meeting, Graham and MBS also called up Donald Trump, but their conversation was mainly about the US presidential election, with no mention of the normalization deal.
The potential agreement between the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia is an extension of the work started under Trump to normalize relations, as seen in the Abraham Accords. However, there is concern that Trump may try to sabotage any follow-up agreement by Biden, although people close to him say he is not actively working against it. Trump’s call with MBS was noted in the White House, but it did not impact the ongoing talks between Biden’s envoys and Saudi counterparts. Despite Trump’s interactions with foreign leaders, there is no indication that his potential rematch with Biden has hindered the negotiations.
President Biden entered office seeking a shift in the US-Saudi relationship, but his administration has continued to engage with Saudi Arabia, maintaining a dialogue with Riyadh. Graham has played a significant role in these discussions due to his relationships in the region, including with MBS, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and key members of the Israeli government. The administration was close to finalizing a deal with Israel and Saudi Arabia last fall, but the situation became more complex following renewed conflict in the region.
The agreement with Saudi Arabia has evolved to include a significant Palestinian component and a clear path to a two-state solution, which is a major sticking point. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is seeking a defense pact with the US and assistance in developing its civilian nuclear power program. The Saudi embassy in the US stated that their establishment of relations with Israel is contingent on specific conditions being met, including an end to the war in Gaza and recognition of a Palestinian state. Despite the challenges, Graham believes now is a critical moment to achieve this wide-ranging deal.
With the looming election and ongoing turmoil in the region, time is running out to finalize the agreement. While there are obstacles to overcome, Graham remains optimistic about the potential for success under Biden’s administration. He believes that a deal involving multiple parties, including Iran, would be a significant achievement that could benefit the Middle East as a whole. Graham is committed to doing everything he can to help seal the deal, recognizing the significance of this moment in history.
