LISTEN: Why Biden changed his mind on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Biden promised to turn his country in a ‘pariah’, but is now trying to build better ties with it Hassan Ammar / ?????

U.S. President Joe Biden visited Asia this week, where he made headlines by promising to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack on the island. At home, his administration has been struggling with rising inflation ahead of this year’s midterm elections. So why, in the face of multiple internal and international crises, is the president soon planning a visit to Israel and potentially also Saudi Arabia?

On this week’s episode, we asked leading U.S. foreign policy expert Aaron David Miller what Biden will try to achieve during the trip – from a diplomatic breakthrough between Israel and Saudi Arabia, to improved ties with the region’s major oil producers. Miller also told host Amir Tibon why America’s greatest global challenge today is actually coming from within.

LISTEN: Biden wanted to isolate the Saudis. Now he has to kiss the ring