The White House National Security Adviser stressed the need to change US relations with Saudi Arabia over the Trump administration, saying “we will not give Saudi Arabia a white check on how to treat its citizens and the region.”
Asked about a change in the Biden administration’s approach to Saudi Arabia, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told a news conference on Friday: The president said he intended to change relations with Saudi Arabia, and he continues to do so.
He continued: Not only did it withdraw Saudi support for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, but it also imposed sanctions on individuals and published a report that the previous government was not prepared to implement. He declassified the report on the assassination of Jamal Khashgechi (a critical Saudi journalist who was assassinated on the orders of bin Salman).
Biden‘s national security adviser reminded: He also showed the Saudis that in the future, they will not give them white checks on what they do to their citizens or the region, like the previous government.
Sullivan explained: His measure, ultimately, is what action serves American interests and values. In the current situation, our interests are immediate ceasefire to end the war in Yemen, which will reduce the human suffering there, as well as de-escalate tensions in the region.
He continued: Hence, increasing the security of Americans is in the security of our allies and partners. In both cases, there is strictness towards Saudi Arabia, and we are confident that we will make progress as a result of this policy.