.Simon Lewis: So, the US govt conducted a process, found that these [Israeli] units have conducted gross violations of human rights, but you won’t tell us what they are, who committed them and you’re gonna continue to send weapons to them?

Patel (uses many words to say): Yes

Will be crucial to watch if/when tangible economic cooperation between Saudi and Iran actually starts building momentum.

Like so much of U.S foreign policy these days, I hear it’s all about China and tech. U.S. seems focused on pushing back against Riyadh hedging with China (and especially Saudi-China tech cooperation) and bringing Riyadh fully on the U.S. side of “great power competition”

The dual messaging coming from Saudi Arabia at WEF: 1) Israel is responsible for war crimes, famine, and the murder of thousands in Gaza & 2) Saudi is maybe close to a deal with the U.S. ( and normalisation w. Israel) which must include peace in Gaza and a roadmap for statehood.

Replay of Camp David 78, deliberate ambiguity to allow both sides to pretend long enough to make a deal while throwing the Palestinians under the bus

How Gaza has galvanized Arab outrage not only toward Israel & the US but also at Arab rulers willing to work with Israel:
nytimes.com/2024/04/29/wor…
“If you’re willing to sell that, and sell those people out — sell yourself out — what’s next? What else is for sale?” an Emirati said.

The complete disconnect happening right now in terms of rhetoric coming from the Saudi Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department on this issue is mind boggling

FT on how major flooding in Dubai was snapshot of the grim climate future that countries across the Gulf are facing:
'It’s not just a theoretical scenario. It has happened, and the costs are real,' said Huda Shaka, a chartered urban planner based in Dubai.
ft.com/content/a12272…

Important #GCC_US talks in Riyadh today. A ceasefire in Gaza & humanitarian aid at the top of the agenda as a prerequisite for deescalation. We must return to a path of justice for the Palestinians, and statehood on the basis of two states and UNSC resolutions
مجلس التعاون Secretary Antony Blinken