Biden defends trip to Saudi Arabia, touting US stability pursuits

Abigail Adcox

July 10, 09:44 AM July 10, 09:44 AM

President Joe Biden defended his choice to travel to the Middle East up coming week, touting that it is vital to U.S. protection.

When acknowledging that his sights on "human rights are very clear" and will be on his thoughts as he travels abroad, Biden wrote an op-ed in the Washington Publish, revealed Saturday, that mentioned the Middle East benefits the United States, as it is "necessary to world trade and the offer chains.

BIDEN SETS UP Authorized Struggle WITH Crimson STATES Around ABORTION Drugs

"As president, it is my work to preserve our place strong and secure. We have to counter Russia’s aggression, set ourselves in the ideal probable placement to outcompete China, and function for increased security in a consequential location of the environment," Biden wrote.

Biden argued the U.S. has to "have interaction right" with nations around the world this kind of as Saudi Arabia, as he aims to improve a partnership with the state "based on mutual pursuits and duties, while also keeping legitimate to fundamental American values."

Biden conceded that he appreciates some disagree with his trip to the area, but he pressured that "basic freedoms are generally on the agenda."

"In the course of my journey, I’ll have in intellect the hundreds of thousands of People who served in the region, including my son Beau, and the 7,054 who died in conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan due to the fact Sept. 11, 2001," he wrote.

Biden mentioned he will be the to start with president to pay a visit to the Center East since 9/11 without acquiring U.S. troops engaged in conflict there. He is anticipated to make stops in Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia even though in the location.

His decision to travel to Saudi Arabia has been controversial, as critics stage to human legal rights violations in the state. The U.S. intelligence neighborhood considered Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dependable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Saudi Arabia turned down the assessment.

Biden himself experienced vowed to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" in response to the assassination although on the campaign path.