Obama starts talks with Gulf leaders aimed at easing strains
- 8 years ago
President Barack Obama pledged to "deter aggression" against Gulf Arab allies increasingly concerned about Iran's influence in the region but did not shy away from raising sensitive issues in talks aimed at addressing recent strains in U.S.-Gulf ties.
Obama's visit to Riyadh to meet Gulf Cooperation Council leaders was aimed at allaying fears in Saudi Arabia and its neighbors that Washington's commitment to their security had diminished.
The president also hoped to use his fourth and probably final trip to the kingdom to dispel some of the frustration felt by Gulf countries toward his administration, in what one senior U.S. official said was a chance to "clear the air".
Obama's visit to Riyadh to meet Gulf Cooperation Council leaders was aimed at allaying fears in Saudi Arabia and its neighbors that Washington's commitment to their security had diminished.
The president also hoped to use his fourth and probably final trip to the kingdom to dispel some of the frustration felt by Gulf countries toward his administration, in what one senior U.S. official said was a chance to "clear the air".