Biden's Aides Seek Saudi Normalization Deal, Netanyahu's Price at Stake

Senior White House officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Middle East czar Brett McGurk, have been dispatched to Saudi Arabia to explore the possibility of a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The deal would require significant Israeli concessions to the Palestinians and a massive security pact between the US and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is seeking a NATO-like mutual security treaty, a civilian nuclear program monitored by the US, and the ability to purchase advanced weaponry. In exchange, the US is looking for Saudi Arabia to offer a large aid package to Palestinian institutions, roll back its relationship with China, and help end the civil war in Yemen. The deal would also require major steps from Israel to preserve a two-state solution. However, the deal is still a long shot and would face opposition from Congress.