USA: The White House has announced that a senior U.S. official will undertake a diplomatic tour of the Gulf region, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to May 16. The visit is aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and advancing shared regional priorities. According to spokesperson John Leavitt, the meetings will focus on economic cooperation, regional security, and mutual interests in energy and counterterrorism efforts.
During the four-day tour, the official is expected to engage with top leaders and policymakers in all three countries. High-level discussions will center around expanding bilateral trade, enhancing defense collaboration, and addressing ongoing conflicts affecting regional stability. This trip comes at a time of shifting dynamics in the Middle East, with the U.S. keen to reinforce its alliances amid growing influence from other global powers.
In Saudi Arabia, the itinerary includes meetings with the Crown Prince and senior government officials to reaffirm commitments on defense coordination and regional security initiatives. The visit to Qatar will include talks on energy partnerships and joint counterterrorism efforts, while in the UAE, the agenda covers tech cooperation and regional economic integration. Each leg of the journey is strategically important in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals in the region.
This diplomatic mission underscores the Biden administration’s focus on proactive engagement in the Middle East. It signals a renewed push for collaboration with key allies to ensure peace, economic growth, and shared security objectives. The outcomes of the visit are expected to influence broader regional diplomacy and reinforce U.S. commitment to its long-standing partners.