[T]he expected image of the two leaders will fail to convey the depth of the strain on the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States. During Mr. Obama’s tenure, there has been distrust and disagreement over how to contain Iran, the fight against the Islamic State, the future of Syria and clashes in Yemen. Blunt comments about the Saudis by Mr. Obama in a recent interview have deepened the ill will. – New York Times
In both cases, the families of the accused have complained of a lack of high-level attention from American officials — stemming, they fear, from the Obama administration’s reluctance to confront the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which the United States views as two of its strongest strategic partners in the Arab world. – New York Times
Editorial: President Obama will have plenty of sticky issues to deal with on his visit this week to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council…But there’s another, equally important piece of business Mr. Obama should put on the agenda: He should urge Saudi King Salman to free imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi. – Washington Post
James Kitfield writes: In the current revolutionary period, the region is beset by multiple cross-cutting wars, the ongoing disintegration of at least four states (Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen), and the ascendance of familiar foes in the form of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Daesh), and the theocratic mullahs of Iran. When they sit at the negotiating table for what should be a war council between venerable allies, Barack Obama and Saudi King Salman will stare across a vast gulf of distrust and suspicion. – Breaking Defense