A senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the approach aims to create a new launching-off point for ties with the kingdom without breaking a core relationship in the Middle East. That's because of the important interests that we do share," the senior Biden administration official said. The 59-year old Saudi journalist was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018 and killed by a team of operatives linked to the crown prince. Biden administration officials say the decisions on sanctions and visa bans will send a clear message about how the United States wants to see the future U.S.-Saudi relationship. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already held talks with the 35-year-old crown prince.

Source: The Hindu February 26, 2021 19:27 UTC