Washington DC, 13 July 2022 (TDI): The US State Secretary, Antony J. Blinken will accompany President Joe Biden to Israel, West Bank, and Saudia Arabia on his official visit to the Middle East from 13 to 16 July.
.@SecBlinken will travel with @POTUS to Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia this week. As we engage with other nations on our interests, advocating for human rights and fundamental freedoms will also be a vital part of the agenda: https://t.co/VcKN75YTmu
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) July 12, 2022
Agenda of the Visit
During the visit, the President and the Secretary of State Blinken will consult with Israeli, Palestinian, Gulf, and regional partners on a range of issues. These include concerns over regional security support for a two-state solution, and countering shared threats, including those posed by Iran.
Following meetings in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, both officials will continue to Jeddah for the Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan will join them to discuss integration efforts to support regional stability and prosperity.
In an opinion published in The Washington Post, President Biden defined the agenda of his visit to the Middle East. According to him, “This trip comes at a vital time for the region, and it will advance important American interests.”
According to US officials, Biden’s first to the Middle East as the president could produce more steps toward normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The US and the Middle East
The Middle Eastern Region holds great importance for the US and its people. A secure and integrated Middle East benefits Americans in a number of ways. The waterways of this region are essential to global trade and its supply chains are essential for the US.
Its energy supplies are essential for reducing the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on the world’s supplies. Additionally, a region that is united through diplomacy and collaboration rather than splintering apart due to conflict is less likely to breed violent extremism.
In the current times, the US has diplomatic relations with every country in the Middle East, with the exception of Iran. The US is an important strategic partner for all the Middle Eastern states from Saudia Arabia to Israel.
