Saudi Prince Plans Ambitious U.S. Visit, but Opening Ties With Israel Is Unlikely

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is gearing up for a highly anticipated visit to the United States, where he aims to secure a coveted security pact and advance discussions on a potential nuclear cooperation deal. However, despite President Donald Trump's expressed desires, the prince is unlikely to take the significant step of formally recognizing Israel during his trip.The visit, which is expected to take place in the coming weeks, marks a crucial opportunity for the crown prince to strengthen ties with the United States, a key ally for Saudi Arabia. The ambitious young prince has been pushing for a comprehensive security agreement that would provide the kingdom with greater assurances of protection from external threats, while also deepening cooperation on defense and counter-terrorism.In addition to a security pact, the crown prince is also seeking to discuss a potential nuclear cooperation deal with the United States. The proposal, which has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, aims to provide Saudi Arabia with access to civilian nuclear technology, potentially paving the way for the kingdom to develop its own nuclear program.While the crown prince's visit is expected to yield significant gains for Saudi Arabia, one major issue is unlikely to be resolved: the kingdom's relationship with Israel. Despite President Trump's efforts to broker a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the crown prince is not expected to take the historic step of formally recognizing the Jewish state.The kingdom has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, and any move to recognize Israel would likely face significant opposition from within Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world. As such, while the crown prince may express support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a formal recognition of Israel is unlikely to be on the cards.The visit is nonetheless expected to mark an important milestone in the evolving relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States, with both sides seeking to deepen cooperation on a range of strategic issues. As the crown prince prepares for his trip, he will be keenly aware of the high stakes involved, and the potential implications for the future of the Middle East.