Senator Lindsey Graham’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, during which he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other Saudi officials, highlights the ongoing complexities and controversies surrounding the US-Saudi relationship. Despite criticisms of the Kingdom’s human rights record and involvement in the Yemeni conflict, Graham’s visit signals a renewed push for stronger ties between the two countries, with a focus on energy, regional security, and economic cooperation.
Graham said he made the trip to the middle east to thank the country for a deal with U.S.-based airplane manufacturer Boeing to purchase planes for their new airline as opposed to purchasing planes from the European-based Airbus.
“Saudi Arabia purchased $36 billion worth of 787 Boeing jets made in Charleston, South Carolina. They picked the Boeing 787 over the Airbus. I came over here to say thanks to Saudi Arabia. They are thinking about buying more jets,” Graham said.
He added that the crown prince’s “vision for the country economically is transformative; $1 trillion is going to be spent to modernize Saudi Arabia. I’d like to be part of that transition.”
Graham said what he saw during his visit this week was “game-changing,” and he wants to build on the progress in Saudi Arabia while having an “honest and candid relationship” with the Kingdom.
However, Graham’s visit was not without controversy, with critics accusing him of ignoring the Kingdom’s human rights abuses and downplaying the role of the Saudi government in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Republican South Carolina senator had been a vocal critic of the Kingdom after the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and previously vowed never to set foot in or do business with Saudi Arabia.
The visit also raised questions about the future of US-Saudi relations under the Biden administration, which has emphasized the importance of human rights and democracy promotion in its foreign policy.
The complexities and controversies surrounding the US-Saudi relationship are not new. The two countries have long had a strategic partnership based on shared interests in the region, particularly in countering Iran and promoting stability and security. However, there have also been tensions and disagreements over issues ranging from energy policy to human rights to counterterrorism.
Under the Trump administration, the US-Saudi relationship was marked by a close personal relationship between President Trump and MBS, as well as a focus on economic and military cooperation. However, the murder of Khashoggi and other human rights abuses in the Kingdom sparked widespread criticism and calls for the United States to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its actions.
The Biden administration has taken a different approach, seeking to balance the importance of the US-Saudi relationship with its commitment to human rights and democracy promotion. The administration has announced a review of US-Saudi relations, including arms sales and other forms of military support, and has imposed sanctions on some Saudi officials implicated in Khashoggi’s murder.
Graham’s visit to Saudi Arabia, then, can be seen as a reflection of the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the US-Saudi relationship, as well as the enduring importance of the partnership despite these challenges. Graham’s statements in support of the Kingdom’s position on the Yemeni conflict and his praise for MBS as a “strong leader” demonstrate the continued influence of pro-Saudi voices in Washington, even as the Biden administration seeks to hold the Kingdom accountable for its actions.
The impact of Graham’s visit on US-Saudi relations remains to be seen. While there are certainly areas of disagreement and controversy, both countries continue to see the value in their partnership, particularly in the face of shared threats from Iran and other regional actors. The Biden administration’s review of US-Saudi relations will likely result in some changes, but it is unlikely to fundamentally alter the strategic calculus that underlies the partnership.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
