Top U.S. General In The Middle East Pays A Visit To Saudi Arabia To Smooth Relations

JEDDAH – Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense meets with Commander of the US Central Command Gen. Joseph Votel in Jeddah Wednesday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries especially in the defense field. – SPA

L.A. Times: Top U.S. military commander moves to ease souring relations with Saudis

After a series of high-profile disputes between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the nation’s top military official in the Middle East moved Monday to ease tensions in one of America’s most enduring, yet perplexing alliances.

Gen. Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. military's Central Command, began a series of one-on-one meetings with leading members of the House of Saud royal court, hoping to find common ground and clear up past grievances.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship has sharply deteriorated in recent months over a range of security-related issues and a reshuffling of the diplomatic order in the Middle East, factors that have opened a gulf of suspicion between the two nations.

"The first thing we are trying to do is listen to what they are telling us,” said Votel, who dashed from one lavish palace to the next. “It's important to maintain confidence in the relationship."

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WNU Editor: This is usually a job for the U.S. Secretary of State or the U.S. Vice President .... but I guess the White House knows that this would be just a waste of time .... that relations between the White House and the House of Saud are in the toilet, and that sending any top civilian official from the administration would not be received well .... hence sending the CENTCOM Chief.