That uncertainty stems from the war in Ukraine. According to a US official, President Biden will announce the plan today in Saudi Arabia.

Biden is scheduled to attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the region’s main political and economic alliance. The members of the GCC are the Gulf countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

More oil for America

During the summit, Biden will discuss America’s role in the Middle East and curbing Iran’s influence. He also wants more oil for the US in the fight against high fuel prices.

Strengthening ties with oil-rich Saudi Arabia, America’s main Arab partner in the region, is not without controversy.

The 2018 killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has severely damaged relations between the two countries, according to US intelligence agencies.

Biden addressed the crown prince about it. “I told bin Salman that I believe he is personally responsible for the murder,” Biden said last night. According to him, the Saudi prince responded in the negative.