In a significant diplomatic move, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, met at the White House in Washington, D.C., with a high-level U.S. delegation that included Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hagseth, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkopf. The meeting focused on discussing the strategic relationship between the two friendly countries and ways to expand it further, in addition to discussing efforts to achieve peace at the regional and international levels.
These discussions take place within the framework of the deep and decades-long strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, a partnership whose foundations were laid with the historic meeting between King Abdulaziz Al Saud and US President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945. This relationship has evolved to encompass close cooperation in numerous fields, most notably defense, security, and counterterrorism, in addition to serving as a cornerstone for the stability of global energy markets. Regular meetings at the highest levels are an integral part of maintaining the momentum of this partnership and coordinating positions in light of rapidly evolving developments.
The meeting is particularly significant given the complex geopolitical challenges facing the Middle East and the world. The two sides' emphasis on "peace efforts" reflects a shared desire to find diplomatic solutions to existing conflicts and de-escalate regional tensions. Domestically, these diplomatic efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the Kingdom's position as an influential and pivotal force on the international stage, actively contributing to security and stability. This initiative also reinforces the Kingdom's role as a peacemaker and a trusted partner of the international community.
The review of “Prospects for the Saudi-American Partnership and Ways to Enhance It” extends beyond military aspects to encompass economic, investment, and technological cooperation. The presence of high-ranking officials from both sides, such as the Chief of the General Staff and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscores the depth of security and military coordination, which is vital for ensuring the security of critical waterways and confronting shared threats. These meetings serve as a vital platform for unifying visions and coordinating positions on international issues of mutual concern, thereby strengthening the two countries' ability to effectively address future challenges.
The meeting was attended on the Saudi side by Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States of America; His Excellency Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; His Excellency Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Bayari; and His Excellency Advisor to His Highness the Minister of Defense for Intelligence Affairs, Mr. Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif. On the American side, it was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Keane.
