In the wee hours of Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's future king, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, picked up the phone to dial Donald Trump. This wasn't a typical late-night call; it was to express admiration for Trump's return to politics. The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has been a bit rocky. During Trump's earlier term, he was quite friendly with the kingdom. However, when Joe Biden took office, things chilled out. Biden openly criticized Saudi Arabia for the brutal 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at their consulate in Istanbul. This event made the relationship between the two countries strained under Biden's leadership.

Saudi Arabia and the United States have a long history of cooperation, primarily due to their shared interests in oil and security. The late-night call from Prince Mohammed could be seen as an attempt to rekindle that relationship. After all, political dynamics can change quickly, and it's in the interest of both nations to maintain a strong bond.

Trump's return to the political scene might have sparked hope for Saudi Arabia that the warmer relations they enjoyed during his previous term could return. However, it's important to consider the broader implications of such a call. Critics might question the timing and the message behind it. Could this be a strategic move to sway public opinion or a genuine expression of support?

JAMAL KHASHOGGI

A Late-Night Chat: Saudi Prince Calls Trump

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