Credit: Wikipedia:  Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON   –   PENTAGON  –  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conferred with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wednesday to stress U.S. commitment to assisting Riyadh defend its territory and people, the Pentagon said. Secretary Austin spoke by phone with His Royal Highness. The two also addressed the war in Yemen. 

“They discussed regional security, particularly efforts to end the war in Yemen. Secretary Austin thanked the Crown Prince for working closely and constructively with U.S. Special Envoy Tim Lenderking to end the war in Yemen.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby   

Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)   Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. 

Secretary Austin Notes Saudi Arabia’s Recent Successes Defeating Houthi  Attacks 

Kirby said Secretary Austin noted “Saudi Arabia’s recent successes in defeating Houthi attacks on the Kingdom”  and discussed ongoing bilateral efforts to improve Saudi Arabia’s defenses.

“Saudi Arabia is an important pillar in the regional security architecture and the U.S. remains committed to its self-defense.”

-Pentagon Press Secretary Kirby

President Biden Goes Soft Regarding Intelligence Report Concluding that  Crown Prince MSB Approved Operation that Killed Dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khasoggi

In February, the NY Times reported that  the public release of an intelligence assessment concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia had approved the operation that killed the dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. The administration of President Biden’s handling of the intelligence assessment showed that American strategic interests prevailed, the NY Times wrote.

“The United States sought some accountability for the crime, imposing sanctions on a former intelligence official and the covert force that killed Mr. Khashoggi. But faced with the possibility that directly punishing Prince Mohammed could cause a breach with an important Arab partner — and anger the kingdom’s likely future monarch — Mr. Biden held back to preserve the relationship with Saudi Arabia.”     – NY Times.