Reuters
Biden is stepping away from the Middle East and trying to get back on good terms with Iran.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has reengaged with estranged foes like Iran, Turkey, and Qatar.
Experts say it shows Saudi Arabia feels it can t rely on the US anymore.
Saudi Arabia has started reaching out to its rivals in the Middle East, suggesting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman knows US support for his country is no longer guaranteed.
In April, the Financial Times reported that Saudi Arabia and Iran, which cut diplomatic ties in 2016, were conducting secret talks. They came as Saudi Arabia also started reaching out to Syria, Iraq, and Oman, working to move past a decade-long rift with Turkey, and bettering relations with Qatar following an end to their four-year blockade.
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The US and France on Tuesday accused the Iran-backed Houthi rebels of holding Yemen’s future hostage.
US President Joe Biden’s Yemen envoy, Tim Lenderking, and Christopher Farnaud, France’s director for the Middle East at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, spoke on Tuesday.
The US State Department tweeted after the call that both countries believed “the Houthis are holding the future of Yemen hostage, continuing a long, costly offensive on Marib .
#USEnvoyYemen Lenderking & @francediplo MENA Director Farnaud agreed the Houthis are holding the future of #Yemen hostage, continuing a long, costly offensive on Marib. The fair deal on the table will finally bring relief to the Yemeni people – the Houthis must engage. – U.S. State Dept – Near Eastern Affairs (@StateDept NEA)
House Republicans made the purge of Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney official Wednesday morning, ousting her from their No. 3 leadership position over her refusal to go along with former President Donald Trump’s lie that Democrats stole the 2020 election from him.
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel s US correspondent based in New York
Rockets are launched toward Israel from Rafah, in the southern the Gaza Strip on May 12, 2021 (SAID KHATIB / AFP)
US deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Hady Amr will fly to Israel later Wednesday as Washington steps up its engagement aimed at de-escalating the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas.
Amr will head to the region “immediately” to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a Wednesday press conference, confirming earlier Times of Israel reports.
“He will bring to bear his decades of experience, and in particular, he will urge on my behalf and on behalf of President Biden a de-escalation of violence. We are very focused on this,” Blinken said.
28 May 2021
Chemonics seeks a social reintegration officer (equivalent of a technical program manager)for the Supporting Moderate Education in Syria program, referred to as the Injaz program. The Injaz Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) and assists children and youth in northeast Syria with limited or no access to education since the start of ISIS occupation in 2013. The social reintegration officer will serve as technical focal point for social reintegration activities and coordinates closely with local partners implementing activities and an external Technical Advisory Board with PVE subject matter experts. This position will be located in Kabul, Afghanistan. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.