Biden lands in Saudi Arabia, country he once vowed to make 'pariah'

US President Joe Biden landed in Saudi Arabia on Friday on the second leg of his four-day regional tour, welcomed in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah by Prince Khalid Al Faisal, a senior member of the royal family and the governor of Mecca.

The US president was later driven to the al-Salam palace, where he met Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). According to reports, the two exchanged a wordless fist bump before the prince led the visiting official inside.

As a candidate for president, Biden in 2019 pledged to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah that they are" over human rights abuses, especially after the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the direct orders of the Saudi crown prince. 

MBS, who is the Saudi kingdom's de facto leader, is expected by many to soon take the throne and become the next King of Saudi Arabia.

Biden’s first trip to Saudi Arabia comes amid efforts to reset Washington’s relationship with Riyadh, and as the world grapples with soaring energy costs.

US analyst: Biden forced to approach Saudi 'pariah'

New circumstances on the international scene have prompted US President Joe Biden to view Saudi Arabia differently from before, according to a US analyst. 

Following the subdued welcome for Biden at the airport in Jeddah and a cold meeting with the crown prince, Biden met Saudi Arabia's King Salman, 86.

It was followed by delegation-level talks between the US president and the Saudi crown prince, sitting across from one another at a large conference table.

The Biden administration appears to be eager to show that its relationship with Saudi Arabia has benefits far beyond oil, with Biden making strenuous efforts to mend fences with the kingdom leadership.

Biden is looking to strengthen ties with a country that has been a key regional ally of Washington for decades, a major supplier of oil and a buyer of weapons.

Prior to Biden’s arrival, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Biden would “clearly and substantively” lay out his vision for Washington’s engagement in the Middle East during his meetings in Saudi Arabia.

Biden to travel to 'pariah' Saudi Arabia in July despite opposition at home

US President Joe Biden is planning to go ahead with his visit to Saudi Arabia next month despite many lawmakers advising him to cancel the visit.

Analysts believe that Biden wants the world's largest exporter of crude to increase production to bring down soaring fuel prices, which threaten Democratic chances in upcoming mid-term elections.

The price for a gallon has doubled since Biden took office in January last year, but that same gallon costs $4.75 in July, according to data from the non-profit American Automobile Association (AAA).

The AAA noted the average gallon of gas cost only $2.39 during the first week of Biden’s presidency.

The gasoline prices are a problem for Biden and his fellow Democrats in upcoming elections.

Since the beginning of Russia's military operation in Ukraine and the ensuing spikes in oil prices, the US president has made great efforts to control fuel prices as well as isolate Russia.

Many analysts believe that Biden's visit to the Middle East is in line with these issues, among others.

Biden will meet with a broader set of Arab leaders at a summit in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hold the bulk of spare capacity within the OPEC+ group, an alliance between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other exporters, most notably Russia.

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