The Saudi government is sending signals that it is ready to cooperate in Yemen and make human rights improvements in an effort to avoid a crisis with President Biden.
News management: Two events on Wednesday highlighted these efforts: Prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who led the fight to allow Saudi women to lead, was released from prison; and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan met in Riyadh with the new US envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking.
Flashback: During the campaign, Biden accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of ordering the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, stressed that he would not sell weapons to the Saudis, and promised to “bet who they are.”
- Now in the office, Biden froze an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, announced a halt to US support for offensive operations in Yemen, and canceled Donald Trump’s appointment of Yemeni Houthi rebels as a terrorist group.
The other side: The Saudis have not publicly criticized Biden’s moves and are trying to navigate the new reality through private talks with the administration.
- Saudi Defense Minister Khalid Bin Salman, the Crown Prince’s brother and confidant, took advantage of the positive line in Biden’s recent foreign policy speech, saying he would help the United States defend Saudi Arabia.
- Meanwhile, bin Farhan welcomed Lenderking’s appointment, despite Biden’s change over Yemen. On Wednesday, they discussed ways to find a political solution to the crisis, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
- The release of al-Hathloul after 2.5 years in prison is another indication that the Saudis want to avoid a human rights clash with Biden. Her arrest had caused outrage around the world
The important step from the Crown Prince could finally 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 law has led to discrepancies in decisions and a lack of clarity of the principles governing facts and practices. … This has been painful for many individuals and families, especially women, allowing some to evade their responsibilities, “the Crown Prince said.
- The timing of the announcement looks like a signal to the Biden administration.
Not worth anything: Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with bin Farhan on Friday, after already speaking with other Arab foreign ministers. In his appeal, he stressed the need for the Saudis to take human rights action and end the war in Yemen.