Washington: President Joe Bidenpreparing for the trip Saudi Arab Amid criticism of his poor human rights record, a newspaper opinion defended his decision, insisting that he had supported long-standing reforms and “not to renegotiate” ties with a longtime strategic partner. Rather break”.
The . In an article posted online Saturday Night by Washington Post, Biden pointed to development Middle East He argued that made the area more stable and safer than it was at the time. trump Administration ended, among them intense diplomacy as well as military action against state-sponsored attacks. But his determination of Saudi ties in particular appeared defensive, with some in the US in particular demanding that he not legitimize the government with a visit.
Biden linked American strength and security to countering Russian aggression and competition from China, then argued that engaging directly with countries such as Saudi Arabia could help fuel those efforts. The president said his goal is to strengthen the US-Saudi partnership “to move forward that is based on mutual interests and responsibilities, while also being true to fundamental American values.”
“I know many people disagree with my decision to travel to Saudi Arabia,” Biden wrote. “My views on human rights are clear and long-standing, and fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda when I travel abroad, as they will be during this trip, just as they are in Israel and the West Bank. Will be.”
It was notable that Biden’s op-ed appeared in the Sunday Opinion section of the Post, whose author Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi agents in 2018.
On that issue, Biden argued that he had responded to sanctions against Saudi forces involved in the killing and issued visa restrictions for anyone harassing dissidents abroad. The president also noted that he released a US intelligence report that claimed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman The operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder was approved.
Biden is expected to meet with the Crown Prince during his visit.
The . In an article posted online Saturday Night by Washington Post, Biden pointed to development Middle East He argued that made the area more stable and safer than it was at the time. trump Administration ended, among them intense diplomacy as well as military action against state-sponsored attacks. But his determination of Saudi ties in particular appeared defensive, with some in the US in particular demanding that he not legitimize the government with a visit.
Biden linked American strength and security to countering Russian aggression and competition from China, then argued that engaging directly with countries such as Saudi Arabia could help fuel those efforts. The president said his goal is to strengthen the US-Saudi partnership “to move forward that is based on mutual interests and responsibilities, while also being true to fundamental American values.”
“I know many people disagree with my decision to travel to Saudi Arabia,” Biden wrote. “My views on human rights are clear and long-standing, and fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda when I travel abroad, as they will be during this trip, just as they are in Israel and the West Bank. Will be.”
It was notable that Biden’s op-ed appeared in the Sunday Opinion section of the Post, whose author Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi agents in 2018.
On that issue, Biden argued that he had responded to sanctions against Saudi forces involved in the killing and issued visa restrictions for anyone harassing dissidents abroad. The president also noted that he released a US intelligence report that claimed the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman The operation that led to Khashoggi’s murder was approved.
Biden is expected to meet with the Crown Prince during his visit.