Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia have worsened due to misunderstanding and distrust of each other between the leaders of the countries, Joe Biden and Mohammed bin Salman, writes The Wall Street Journal.
According to the publication's interlocutors in the government of Saudi Arabia, the crown prince of the kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman, privately mocks the mistakes of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, questioning his mental acuity. They add that the prince has criticized Biden since his time as prime minister and prefers former US leader Donald Trump.
In turn, during the 2020 election campaign, Biden said that he "sees very little benefit to society from the current government of Saudi Arabia" and refused to speak with Prince Mohammed for more than a year after the inauguration. After the meeting of the two leaders in July 2022, sources report, Saudi officials present felt that the US president was not interested in political discussions.
The "feud" between Biden and Prince Mohammed is said to have deepened tensions that have been fueled by geopolitical and economic forces for years.
"The White House said Biden wants to examine whether the relationship with Saudi Arabia is in the national security interests of the United States, in addition to reassessing the administration last year. Saudi officials say it may be time for them to review the relationship with the United States as well." , - writes the publication.
In addition, the war in Ukraine and the Western response to Russia's full-scale invasion in the form of sanctions have also reportedly exacerbated tensions between the countries. All because production cuts have supported oil prices, which help finance Russia's military actions, and undermined U.S. sanctions against Moscow.
According to the Biden administration, OPEC+'s decision to cut production to raise oil prices is "bringing" Saudi Arabia closer to the Russians. Saudi officials, in turn, see an opportunity to defend their own interests in the world, assuring that they can support Ukraine and simultaneously work with Russia in OPEC+. They expressed disappointment that relations between the countries "are still viewed through the narrow prism of oil and security," the publication writes.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday, October 16, that President Joe Biden will proceed "methodically" in reassessing US relations with Saudi Arabia.