JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Wrapping up his first Middle East trip since taking office, President Joe Biden vowed Saturday that the U.S. will remain engaged in the region to counter the influence of Russia and China and to combat the threat posed by Iran.
Biden outlined his vision for the Middle East during a meeting in this Red Sea coastal city with leaders from nine Arab countries, a day after he held bilateral talks with the controversial leader of Saudi Arabia.
“The United States is clear eyed about challenges in the Middle East,” Biden said in a speech that capped a four-day trip to the region that included meetings with top Israeli and Palestinian officials. “Let me say clearly that the United States is going to remain an active, engaged partner in the Middle East. ... We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia or Iran (and) will seek to build on this moment with active, principled American leadership.”
