The Saudi government is sending signals that it is ready to cooperate in Yemen and make improvements in human rights in an effort to avert a crisis with President Biden.
Driving the news: Two events on Wednesday highlighted these efforts: the prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who led the fight to allow Saudi women to drive, was released from prison; and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Faisal Bin Farhan, met in Riyadh with the new US envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking.
Flashback: During the campaign, Biden accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of ordering the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, emphasized that he would not sell weapons to the Saudis and promised “to make them the outcasts they are”.
- Now at the office, Biden froze an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, announced the suspension of U.S. support for offensive operations in Yemen, and revoked Donald Trump’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist group.
The other side: The Saudis have not publicly criticized Biden’s actions and are trying to navigate the new reality through private talks with the government.
- Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid Bin Salman, brother and confidant of the Crown Prince, clung to the only positive line in Biden’s recent foreign policy speech, in which he said the US would help Saudi Arabia defend itself.
- Meanwhile, bin Farhan welcomed Lenderking’s nomination, despite Biden’s move to Yemen. On Wednesday, they discussed ways to find a political solution to the crisis, according to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry.
- The release of al-Hathloul after 2.5 years in prison is another indication that the Saudis want to avoid a confrontation with Biden because of human rights. His arrest caused outrage worldwide
The important step the crown prince may ultimately be the announcement on Monday of major legal and judicial reforms that will establish civil law in the country for the first time, in addition to Islamic law.
- “The absence of applicable legislation has generated discrepancies in decisions and a lack of clarity in the principles that govern facts and practices. … This was painful for many people and families, especially women, allowing some to escape their responsibilities, “said the Crown Prince.
- The timing of the announcement seems like a signal to the Biden government.
Worthless: Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with Bin Farhan on Friday, after he has already spoken to several other Arab foreign ministers. In the appeal, he highlighted the need for the Saudis to take action on human rights and end the war in Yemen.