Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Naeini: If our national interests are attacked again, our response this time will be stronger and more destructive
Naeini: The war has proven that the settlers are defenseless against Iranian missile and drone forces
Naeini: Trump lacks an understanding of the true strength of the Iranian people and is so deluded as to believe he can change the reality of Iran's victory
Naeini: The defeat led to Trump's confusion and loss of balance, which was reflected in his ill-considered statements
IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Naeini: Trump's statements are a result of his defeat against Iran, and we advise him to abandon absurd policies
Gaza Government Media Office: The number of children martyred due to malnutrition has risen to 66
Saree: Loyal Yemen will not abandon its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian people
Saree: Over the past week, we carried out military operations targeting sensitive sites and military installations in Beer al-Sabe', Yafa, and Haifa via a number of ballistic missiles and drones, which were all successful
Saree: The operation was carried out via a Zulfiqar missile, which successfully achieved its goal
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our forces carried out a top-tier military operation targeting a sensitive target in occupied Beer al-Sabe', and it was successful

US lawmakers: Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia "really bad idea"

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: CNN
  • 15 Jun 2022 23:57
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Several US Senators express their concerns over US President Joe Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia, calling on him not to meet with MBS over human rights issues.

  • x
  • US President Joe Biden (Archive)
    US President Joe Biden (Archive)

Following the announcement of US President Joe Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia next month, multiple US lawmakers expressed their concerns, CNN reported, ignoring, however, the Israeli occupation crimes against Palestinians.

Among those who made remarks on the upcoming visit was Senate Majority Whip Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who called on the US President to change his plans.

Durbin considered that "It's a tough call. Sustaining the energy services for our allies and NATO, doing something to increase the oil supply in the world, perhaps bring down gasoline prices. All these things are timely and important. But I'm sorry he has to do it with Saudis."

A "really bad idea"

On his part, Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described Biden's trip as a "really bad idea", especially in regard to the case of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
 
"What's the fundamental issue in the world right now? It's the authoritarians. ... I don't think you go say, 'Well, circumstances change. We sit down with a murderer who killed a journalist (Khashoggi) who lives in Virginia.'"

Kaine said that he thinks Biden's coming meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) is "a big mistake," adding that "I'd meet with (the) foreign minister. I'd meet with the Saudi ambassador. I'd meet with the King, but I wouldn't meet with MBS."

On his part, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, another member of Senate Foreign Relations, said that he has "real worries" over the Saudi Arabia trip.

Related News

Cuba denounces US-backed nomination of Rosa Maria Paya to IACHR

US Senate blocks resolution limiting military action against Iran

"I think I need to hear more from the administration to understand what kind of commitments they've gotten from the kingdom to change their ways," he mentioned.

Alleviate political impact of record-high US gasoline prices

Similarly, South Dakota Senate Republican Whip John Thune said he wishes that the US President "would focus on American energy and he wouldn't have to deal with the Crown Prince."

"I think it's unfortunate an American president is put in that position," Thune added.

According to CNN, "there's little doubt that Biden is making his trip in order to persuade the Saudis to pump more crude oil to help alleviate the political impact of record-high US gasoline prices."

Discussing human rights issues

White House officials said that Biden plans to discuss human rights issues with bin Salman but underscored that the US President is looking to rebuild his relationship with the kingdom.

"We are not overlooking any conduct that happened before the President took office," White House Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre claimed Tuesday in regard to Khashoggi's murder.

CNN mentioned that an organization consisting of the families of individuals killed during the September 11, 2001 attacks urged the US President earlier this month to ensure accountability for the attacks and make it a key priority of his discussions with Saudi officials.

However, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby did not confirm whether conveying the organization's message would be on Biden's agenda. 

On Tuesday, the White House announced that Biden will visit the Middle East from July 13-16, starting his trip with a visit to "Israel", before he heads to Saudi Arabia on July 15-16.

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • Riyadh
  • Israel
  • US
  • Mohammad Bin Salman
  • Jamal Khashoggi
  • Karine Jean-Pierre
  • King Salman
  • Virginia
  • John Kirby
  • Joe Biden
  • Saudi Arabia
  • white house
  • MBS

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS