Senator Lindsey Graham recently met with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential agreement normalizing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Graham has offered to help rally Republican support for this deal, which could also include a US-Saudi defense pact and steps towards a two-state solution for Palestine. He has become a key diplomatic channel with Bin Salman and regularly briefs Biden’s team on their conversations.
During their meeting, Graham and Bin Salman called Donald Trump for a brief conversation that did not touch upon the normalization deal. Trump, who has been informed of the ongoing negotiations, believes he could negotiate a better agreement with the Saudis if he were back in the White House but is not actively working to thwart the current efforts under Biden. The Biden administration remains engaged in talks despite Trump’s awareness of the negotiations.
Efforts to finalize the agreement face looming challenges, with the potential for Trump to try and scuttle a follow-up deal by Biden. Despite this, Graham remains optimistic that the deal could be sealed under Biden’s administration, citing the potential for Democratic support in Congress. Biden’s team has pledged a shift in the US relationship with Saudi Arabia, but achieving a normalization deal has become a central focus, building on one of Trump’s previous foreign policy achievements.
Graham’s close relationships in the region, including with Israeli leaders, make him a valuable asset in the negotiations. Under Biden, the terms of the deal with Israel and Saudi Arabia have evolved, with a greater emphasis on a two-state solution and a defense pact with the US. Saudi Arabia has outlined its conditions for establishing relations with Israel, including resolving the conflict in Gaza and creating a clear pathway towards a Palestinian state.
Despite the challenges and complexities involved, Graham believes that now is the opportune moment to secure a comprehensive agreement that could have a significant impact on regional stability. This deal has the potential to constrain Iran, provide hope for the Palestinians, and reset the Middle East in a positive way. Graham views this negotiation as a defining moment in his Senate career, where all parties involved can ultimately benefit from its success.
