RIYADH/WASHINGTON, Nov 17 – Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is preparing for a closely watched visit to the White House, marking his first appearance in the United States since the global controversy that followed the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The trip comes at a moment when both countries are trying to reinforce a partnership that has shaped regional politics and global energy markets for decades, even as fresh priorities like artificial intelligence, civilian nuclear development and long term security guarantees move to the forefront.
The crown prince, known widely by his initials MBS, has faced years of scrutiny over the incident, which United States intelligence agencies said he approved. He has denied giving the order, while acknowledging his responsibility as the kingdom’s de facto leader. More than seven years later, both nations appear ready to shift their focus toward strategic goals that they see as essential for the future of bilateral ties.
During the upcoming meeting, President Donald Trump will concentrate heavily on a Saudi commitment to invest around $600 billion in the United States, a pledge originally made during Trump’s visit to Riyadh in May. Human rights questions are unlikely to take center stage, just as they were largely set aside in earlier interactions. For its part, Saudi Arabia will push firmly for concrete security arrangements, deeper cooperation in advanced technology, and progress toward a civilian nuclear agreement.
Defence Talks Take Priority
One of the most sensitive issues surrounding this visit is the evolving security arrangement between Washington and Riyadh. For decades, the informal understanding was straightforward, Saudi Arabia offered stable oil supplies and favorable pricing, while the United States acted as the kingdom’s primary security partner. That balance was shaken in 2019 when Iranian forces struck Saudi oil facilities and Washington did not respond militarily. Confidence was tested again recently after Israel conducted a strike in Doha, Qatar, prompting new questions across the Gulf about American reliability.
In response to rising tensions, President Trump signed a defence pact with Qatar through an executive order. Many diplomats and analysts believe Saudi Arabia hopes to receive a similar agreement. Riyadh has been pressing for a defence pact approved by the United States Congress, one that would provide binding obligations. Washington, however, has tied such a comprehensive agreement to Saudi normalization with Israel, something the kingdom has said it can consider only if Israel commits to a clear and genuine path toward Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fresh from a ceasefire agreement with Hamas after two years of conflict, restated his firm rejection of Palestinian independence. That stance makes full normalization difficult, which in turn complicates the security framework Saudi Arabia seeks.
If the United States responds with an executive order instead of a congressional pact, the result would fall short of Saudi Arabia’s expectations. However, regional observers say even a limited commitment could still be a meaningful building block in a longer process. One Western diplomat described the negotiations by saying that both sides understand they may need to settle for less than their ideal outcomes, a reality common in international diplomacy.
Former Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross has said an executive order could require Washington and Riyadh to immediately consult if Saudi Arabia faces an imminent threat. While such a step would not force the United States to enter combat, it could open the door to defensive assistance such as missile batteries, naval deployments or expedited weapons replacements.
Technology, Nuclear Goals and Regional Competition
Beyond security, Saudi Arabia is entering the meeting with a broad economic and technological agenda. The kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aims to diminish its reliance on oil by investing heavily in innovation, AI research, and digital infrastructure. A major priority for MBS is gaining access to high performance chips and advanced computing tools that are essential for large scale AI development. This has become particularly urgent as regional rivalries intensify, especially with the United Arab Emirates, which recently secured access to powerful chips through a multibillion dollar technology partnership.
Saudi Arabia believes that establishing itself as a global center for artificial intelligence would strengthen its economic future and its political influence across the Middle East. Securing American support is critical to these ambitions, given the United States leadership in advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing.
Another core topic is the crown prince’s pursuit of a civilian nuclear energy agreement. Saudi Arabia views nuclear power as a key component of its economic diversification, and also as a way to match developments in nearby states. The UAE already operates a civilian nuclear program, and Iran has significantly advanced its nuclear capabilities in recent years. Riyadh wants a partnership that gives it access to United States technology, training and regulatory cooperation.
Discussions have been difficult because the United States typically requires partner countries to rule out the enrichment of uranium or reprocessing of spent fuel, two steps that can lead to weapons grade material. Saudi Arabia has resisted making that commitment in the past, arguing that it should have the same opportunities as others in the region. Despite these challenges, diplomatic observers believe the White House meeting could produce either an announcement of progress or a statement signaling that both sides are moving closer to agreement.