Public Comment

In a dramatic reversal of his earlier promises to regard Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” state, in light of many human rights abuses, President Biden is heading to Riyadh assuring Mohammed Bin Salman, that all is forgiven and imploring him to pump more oil to lower global oil prices and boost his sagging approval rating. Conveniently ignored was the brutal murder and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The Biden administration also failed to condemn Saudi Arabia after the kingdom executed 81 people. Rights groups say many of those executed were people arrested for participating in human rights demonstrations. Many of the defendants were denied access to a lawyer, held incommunicado and tortured. 

The Biden administration has also succumbed to the pressures of defense contractors and foreign government lobbyists who reap profits on killing of innocent men, women and children of Yemen. We continue to commit the most heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity. Biden needs to recalibrate his moral compass .