President Joe Biden is preparing a foreign trip that will include a visit to the Middle East and a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The White House confirmed the plan to travel to Riyadh on July 15 and 16, with discussions set to cover a broad agenda that touches on security, energy, and regional stability.
In parallel, Biden is expected to visit Israel on July 13 and 14. The White House has indicated that this trip will strengthen ties with key allies in the region and advance shared goals in security, prosperity, and peace efforts.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre initially did not confirm the meeting with the Saudi crown prince, but she later acknowledged that an encounter between the two leaders is anticipated during this trip, speaking from the presidential plane during a briefing with reporters.
At the moment, Biden is in Philadelphia delivering remarks on economic policy at a major labor conference, underscoring the administration’s focus on jobs and growth at home while engaging with international partners abroad.
For months the Biden administration had been cautious about approving a Saudi trip, though media reports had suggested a summer schedule was likely. The trip is viewed by many as an assertion of U.S. diplomacy and energy strategy at a time when sanctions on Russia are influencing global fuel markets and prices remain volatile.
Energy security is central to the discussions, but the spokesperson emphasized that it is not the sole objective. The United States continues to highlight Saudi Arabia’s significant role in the global oil market and to weigh the broader implications for regional and international diplomacy.
Officials described the visit as a chance to explore mutually beneficial interests, including economic cooperation and regional security. The trip is framed as part of a wider strategy to strengthen partnerships with Gulf states and other important regional actors.
Alongside the Biden-Bin Salman talks, a larger summit is planned for July 16 at the invitation of Saudi leadership. Attendees will include regional leaders and presidents from neighboring countries, reflecting a collective approach to regional issues and shared challenges.
The planned meeting between Biden and Bin Salman signals a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Riyadh since Biden assumed office in January 2021. It arrives after years of scrutiny over the incident involving a Saudi journalist and concerns about accountability and human rights. The relationship between Washington and Riyadh has undergone significant tests in recent years, including a major diplomatic crisis tied to that event.
The journalist, who lived in the United States and contributed to a major American publication, entered a diplomatic facility abroad and did not emerge alive. Investigations concluded that the journalist was killed, and authorities named the responsible parties. The Saudi government acknowledged involvement by its agents, while higher-level responsibility has remained disputed. U.S. intelligence has pointed to high-level authorization, though Saudi leadership has denied direct accountability.
As discussions advance, human rights organizations have urged the administration to address these concerns directly during any face-to-face talks, warning that avoiding the issue could undermine efforts to uphold international norms and accountability. The White House has stressed the importance of a comprehensive dialogue that includes governance, human rights, and regional stability as part of a broader strategy for the region.