Thread by @thomasjuneau

So - Biden finally spoke to Saudi King Salman today. Excerpts, with quick take (1/6):
1. "...address the longstanding partnership": this is meaningful - the statement is full of signals from Biden that this is a deep relationship that will continue.

whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

2. "they discussed regional security, including the... efforts led by the UN and the US to end the war in Yemen": two things here, an emphasis the US is leading these efforts (which it was not before), and, by saying this is as the 1st item, a signal it is the top priority.

3. "and the U.S. commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups": another clear signal - that the US remains committed to its role as the extra-regional guarantor of Saudi security.

So the message so far: no to crazy Saudi foreign policy adventurism, but yes to a continued partnership and to the US's role in backstopping Saudi security

(if you extrapolate just a bit, no to MbS, yes to Saudi)

4. "The President noted positively the recent release of several Saudi-American activists and Ms. Loujain al-Hathloul from custody": two ways to read this - human rights are back on the US-Saudi agenda after disappearing for 4 years... but they rank after security on the agenda.

Bottom-line: Biden is firmly committed to the US-Saudi partnership ("work to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible"). He wants to push (how hard? we'll see) to tame the Saudi recklessness of recent years - but not to jettison the partnership. (end)