JEDDAH, July 17 — It took less than 24 hours in Saudi Arabia for US President Joe Biden to tarnish an image he has long cultivated: that of a fierce defender of human rights.
It was difficult for many to reconcile those words with the single-most searing image from Biden's first visit to the Middle East as president: his fist-bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Biden published a column in the Post explaining his reasons for making the trip, saying he wanted to"strengthen a strategic partnership" while insisting that"fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda when I travel abroad".
In the end, the first-bump in Jeddah"was worse than a handshake — it was shameful", the Post's CEO Fred Ryan said in a statement. But soon the"fist-bump" was inescapable, broadcast on a seemingly constant loop by state media and Saudi government social media accounts. Brief statements from Biden and Prince Mohammed were rendered inaudible as boom microphones were not permitted.After his meetings with Saudi royals ended Friday evening, the White House hastily arranged for Biden to deliver brief remarks and take a few questions.