Frankly Speaking: Saudi Crown Prince's US Visit to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
The upcoming visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington aims at bolstering bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation.
Riyadh: As anticipation builds for what is being dubbed a truly historic meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump in Washington, a veteran American diplomat with decades of experience across the Middle East says opportunities for cooperation and expansion of the Saudi-US partnership are increasing.
\nThe nature of our relationship can be as diverse as the Saudi economy is becoming," Michael Ratney, who served as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia from April 2023 to January 2025, said during an appearance on "Frankly Speaking", the weekly Arab News current affairs show.\n\nThe upcoming visit aims at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation, including energy, security, and trade.
Ratney emphasized that both countries share common interests in countering regional threats from Iran and terrorism.\n\nThe visit comes amid ongoing efforts to address regional conflicts and stabilize the Middle East.
The diplomat called for international support for rebuilding Gaza after the recent conflict, as well as establishing a stabilization force to ensure security and facilitate reconstruction efforts.\n\nRatney also discussed Syria's interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who recently visited Washington, and the potential benefits of engaging with him internationally.
He highlighted the need for more engagement with Lebanon to strengthen its central institutions in the face of challenges posed by Hezbollah.\n\nThe diplomat acknowledged that while there are still concerns about the direction of some regional governments, engaging with them is preferable to further ostracization.
\nThe nature of our relationship can be as diverse as the Saudi economy is becoming," Michael Ratney, who served as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia from April 2023 to January 2025, said during an appearance on "Frankly Speaking", the weekly Arab News current affairs show.\n\nThe upcoming visit aims at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation, including energy, security, and trade.
Ratney emphasized that both countries share common interests in countering regional threats from Iran and terrorism.\n\nThe visit comes amid ongoing efforts to address regional conflicts and stabilize the Middle East.
The diplomat called for international support for rebuilding Gaza after the recent conflict, as well as establishing a stabilization force to ensure security and facilitate reconstruction efforts.\n\nRatney also discussed Syria's interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who recently visited Washington, and the potential benefits of engaging with him internationally.
He highlighted the need for more engagement with Lebanon to strengthen its central institutions in the face of challenges posed by Hezbollah.\n\nThe diplomat acknowledged that while there are still concerns about the direction of some regional governments, engaging with them is preferable to further ostracization.
