What's happened
President Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, defending him over the 2018 Khashoggi murder despite US intelligence conclusions. The event marked a diplomatic shift, with bin Salman receiving a warm welcome and new US-Saudi agreements announced, amid ongoing debates over human rights and regional influence.
What's behind the headline?
The recent hosting of bin Salman by Trump signifies a decisive departure from previous US policies emphasizing human rights. Trump's public defense of the Saudi crown prince, despite US intelligence assessments, underscores a transactional approach that prioritizes strategic alliances over moral considerations. This shift is part of a broader trend where the US under Trump has scaled back its human rights advocacy, reorienting the State Department to focus on Western values and economic deals. The move benefits Saudi Arabia’s image and strengthens US-Saudi ties, but risks undermining US credibility on human rights globally. The muted congressional response and selective engagement with other autocrats suggest a pragmatic, if controversial, recalibration of US foreign policy. This approach will likely deepen regional alliances with autocratic regimes, potentially complicating US efforts to promote democratic values and human rights in the future.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel and The Japan Times highlight Trump's overt support for bin Salman, emphasizing his public defense and the lavish White House welcome, despite US intelligence conclusions on Khashoggi. Both sources note the contrast with previous US policies and congressional criticism. Reuters and The New Arab provide additional context, illustrating how Trump’s approach has shifted away from moral concerns toward economic and strategic interests, with some lawmakers criticizing the move as disregarding human rights. The articles collectively portray a US administration that is increasingly transactional, prioritizing alliances with autocrats like bin Salman, Erdogan, and Orban, while selectively addressing rights violations elsewhere. The coverage underscores the controversy and implications of this diplomatic pivot, with critics warning it may weaken US moral authority and embolden authoritarian regimes.
How we got here
The articles detail how Trump’s administration has moved away from traditional US human rights policies, instead prioritizing transactional diplomacy and economic interests. Trump’s support for bin Salman, despite US intelligence findings of his involvement in Khashoggi’s murder, reflects this shift. Historically, US policy has balanced strategic interests with human rights concerns, but under Trump, this balance has tilted heavily toward economic and geopolitical considerations, especially with Saudi Arabia and other autocratic allies.
Go deeper
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Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of
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