President Donald Trump is set to fete Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday when the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia makes his first White House visit since Saudi agents killed Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
The U.S.-Saudi relationship had been sent into a tailspin by the operation targeting Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the kingdom. U.S. intelligence agencies determined Prince Mohammed likely directed the agents to carry it out. Prince Mohammed denies involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident. And Trump has only tightened his embrace of the crown prince, whom he views as an indispensable player in shaping the Middle East for decades to come.
The two leaders will unveil billions of dollars in deals, including one to sell the Saudis F-35 fighter jets, and huddle with aides to discuss difficult ways forward in the volatile Middle East before an evening White House soiree organized by first lady Melania Trump.
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