Biden lays groundwork for risky meeting with Saudis

President Biden and his officials are laying the groundwork for a high-profile meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reversing course on the campaign promise to isolate the powerful Gulf figure.

Tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are at a high over a range of issues, from the Saudi government’s repression of opposition and its role in the killing of a Washington Post opinion journalist, to Riyadh’s role in the war on Yemen.

Families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks are also deeply suspicious of the Saudi government and have sought to bring lawsuits against Riyadh.