Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Trump to discuss cooperation in oil, security, and technology, marking the first visit after the Khashoggi scandal.

Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, is making a visit to the White House to discuss deepening cooperation in the fields of oil, security, and expanding trade and technological relations. This is his first visit to the U.S. since the killing of dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, an incident that sparked global outrage. MBS aims to regain influence on the international stage and to demonstrate that his support for Trump was justified.

During the meeting, MBS is seeking security guarantees and access to artificial intelligence technology, as well as progress towards a civilian nuclear program. Although relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have been affected by the Khashoggi scandal, both parties continue to collaborate, having common interests in energy and defense. MBS has implemented significant social reforms but has maintained authoritarian control, silencing dissent.

Despite the challenges, MBS asserts his role as a modernizing leader, wanting to transform Saudi Arabia into a regional hub for technology and energy. This visit underscores the complexity of international relations and the challenges facing Saudi Arabia in the current geopolitical context.