Staff Reports
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, landed in Israel on Wednesday to kick off his journey to the Middle East. His government is hoping that this trip would deepen connections between the United States and the region, but it may only provide minimal changes on American priorities.
Mr. Biden stated that the link between the Israeli people and the people of the United States is bone-deep shortly after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport for his tenth travel to Israel over his decades-long political career. This trip marked Mr. Biden's tenth time visiting Israel. His very first visit to Israel in his capacity as president.
Yair Lapid, the caretaker prime minister of Israel, addressed the president by saying, "We're simply happy to see you, Mr. President, the simple, genuine joy of seeing a good friend again."
US officials framed the four-day trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to improve connections and promote stability, particularly by joining the two nations he is visiting closer together, all while combating Iranian threats. The trip will take place in Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, the president's allies are worried that he will end up leaving without making real progress on energy or human-rights issues, and that he will therefore return to the United States largely empty-handed at a time when he is having difficulties with low approval ratings and high prices in advance of the midterm elections.
In the past few days, officials from the White House have attempted to lower people's expectations regarding the upcoming trip by claiming that it may take several months or even longer to reach an agreement to address rising energy prices and to re-establish connections between Israel and other nations in the area such as Saudi Arabia.
According to White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Mr. Biden plans to "demonstrate material progress" on topics such as regional security during the trip; but, he failed to describe how the administration defines success. The trip will take place in the Middle East. Mr. Sullivan continued by saying that the president will discuss the importance of guaranteeing a sufficient source of energy in world markets in a manner that is sustainable over time, which necessitates the presence of spare capacity as a component of the equation.
The Middle East was not a priority for the president in his foreign policy, but when Mr. Biden took office, he promised to maintain a focus on China. However, because Russia's war in Ukraine has worsened increases in oil prices, the focus has shifted to the Middle East. Mr. Biden, who during his campaign for the presidency made a promise to make Saudi Arabia a pariah on the world arena, has gradually focused his efforts on the kingdom, which exerts a large influence over oil market markets, which have increased as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
During the first leg of his journey, Mr. Biden is expected to meet with Mr. Lapid, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israel's former Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. On Wednesday, he went to the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem and received a briefing on Israel's missile defense capabilities. Earlier that day, he had visited Israel. On Thursday, he will participate in a summit with the leaders of Israel, India, and the United Arab Emirates that will take place virtually.
The Iron Beam is an experimental laser device that is envisioned as a deterrent against attacks that are backed by Iran. According to an official in the United States, the Biden administration will reveal new talks between the United States and Israel to co-develop the Iron Beam. Officials who are aware with the matter have stated that President Biden intends to sign a joint declaration with Israel this week that would underscore the strategic alliance that exists between the two countries. Officials in Israel have stated that this includes a promise to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, to strengthen regional cooperation, and to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge in the region.
According to persons who are aware with the issue, a number of the Arab states who are participating in the discussions have raised doubts about the collaboration. Despite the fact that Israel is working with Arab nations to a greater extent than it ever has before, the countries that are participating in the talks have a wide variety of interests, many of which are in direct opposition to one another, and important players such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not have official ties with Israel.
Officials in Israel have voiced their optimism that the steps made during President Joe Biden's visit will mark the beginning of the process of mending their country's diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia.
The transition of two islands from Egypt to Saudi Arabia is a lengthy deal that could include steps toward Riyadh creating legal ties with Israel, according to people familiar with the discussions. This is expected to be one of the signature announcements made during the trip, and it is expected to be one of the trip's most anticipated events.
Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital, and Mr. Biden will make history when he becomes the first President of the United States to fly directly between the two countries, signifying a rare direct flight between the two nations. Donald Trump, who traveled from Riyadh to Israel via direct flight, is one of the other former presidents of the United States who has flown directly between the two nations.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on The Daily Cable.
