The critical, high-stakes meeting between US President and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is driven by significant, mutual goals. MBS, described as an “incredibly transformative figure” and the de facto leader of the Gulf Arab states, seeks a formal, spelled-out security guarantee from the US, especially following the successful weakening of Iran’s influence and proxies by the administration. For the US, a major diplomatic objective is gaining Saudi buy-in for its 20-point Gaza plan, which today secured a pivotal, veto-free approval from the UN Security Council (with Russia and China abstaining). This plan, which pushes toward Palestinian statehood, leaves Israel in isolation as the only major party opposed, making Saudi acquiescence crucial for its execution.
