US CIA Director's Secret Visit to Saudi Arabia... Attempt to Restore Relations

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] William Burns, the head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), secretly visited Saudi Arabia last month and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 3rd (local time). This move was part of the Biden administration's efforts to restore relations with key security partners in the Middle East.

According to the report, Director Burns visited Jeddah, a coastal city where the Saudi royal family stays during Ramadan, in mid-April and met with Crown Prince Mohammed. The details of their conversation or any agreements reached during the meeting have not been disclosed. WSJ speculated that the two likely discussed issues such as oil production increases, the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal, and the Yemen civil war, which have recently strained bilateral relations.

A U.S. government official described the atmosphere as "better than previous conversations with former U.S. government officials."

WSJ pointed out that Director Burns visited Saudi Arabia amid rapidly deteriorating relations between the two countries since President Joe Biden took office. The background to this includes the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi during the Donald Trump administration. President Biden did not engage with Crown Prince Mohammed, who was identified as being behind the assassination, and the Crown Prince reportedly perceived this as being snubbed.

Director Burns is a career diplomat who worked at the State Department for 33 years, studied Arabic, and held positions related to the Middle East. He also played a key role as a behind-the-scenes negotiator in the conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) during the Barack Obama administration.

After becoming CIA Director, Burns secretly visited Afghanistan in August last year and met with Taliban leaders. In November of last year, he visited Russia to warn President Vladimir Putin about the consequences of invading Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.