The Saudi government is sending signals that it is ready to work with Yemen and to improve human rights in an effort to avoid a crisis with President Biden.
Send the news: Two events on Wednesday highlighted these efforts: Leading women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who led the fight to get Saudi women ruled, has been released from prison; and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan met in Riyadh with Yemen’s new US envoy, Tim Lenderking.
Flash back: During the campaign, Biden tracked down Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for ordering the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, emphasizing that he would not sell weapons to the Saudis and promised to ‘make the pariah what they are’.
- Now in office, Biden froze an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, announcing a halt to US support for offensive operations in Yemen, and a reversal of Donald Trump’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist group.
The other side: The Saudis have not publicly criticized Biden’s steps and are trying to navigate the new reality through private talks with the government.
- Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid Bin Salman, the crown prince’s brother and confidant, grabbed one positive line in Biden’s recent speech on foreign policy, in which he said the US would help Saudi Arabia defend itself.
- Meanwhile, bin Farhan welcomes the appointment of Lenderking despite Biden’s relocation to Yemen. According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, they discussed ways on Wednesday to find a political solution to the crisis.
- The release of al-Hathloul after 2.5 years in prison is another indication that the Saudi wants to avoid a clash with Biden over human rights. Her arrest has caused worldwide outrage
The important step of the crown prince may finally be the announcement on Monday of important legal and judicial reforms that will institute civil law in the country for the first time, in addition to Islamic law.
- “The absence of applicable legislation has led to deviations in decisions and a lack of clarity in the principles regarding facts and practices. “It was painful for many individuals and families, especially women, and allowed some to evade their responsibilities,” the crown prince said.
- The timing of the announcement looks like a signal to Biden’s government.
Note: Foreign Minister Tony Blinken spoke to bin Farhan on Friday after speaking with several other Arab foreign ministers. In the call, he stressed the need for the Saudis to take action on human rights and end the war in Yemen.