Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is set to arrive in Washington, D.C. for a high-stakes visit on November 18, 2025, aiming to secure a landmark security and nuclear agreement with the United States . However, despite immense pressure from the Trump administration, a breakthrough in normalizing relations with Israel remains a distant prospect.
Table of Contents
- The Core Agenda of the US Visit
- Why Israel Normalization is Off the Table
- Strategic Implications for the Middle East
- Sources
MBS’s US Visit: A Push for a Historic Security Pact
The primary objective of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming trip is to finalize a comprehensive defense and civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States . This deal is seen as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s long-term security strategy, providing a formal US security guarantee in exchange for significant economic and strategic concessions.
The visit, scheduled for November 18th, will be his first official meeting with President Donald Trump since his re-election . The two leaders are expected to sign a series of agreements that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East for decades to come .
The Israel Question: A Bridge Too Far for Now
While the White House has been a vocal advocate for a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal, often referred to as the “next Abraham Accord,” MBS has signaled that this is not on the immediate agenda. The Crown Prince’s position is firm: any move toward recognizing Israel is contingent upon a credible and irreversible path to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This stance creates a significant point of friction with the Trump administration, which has historically favored Israel’s position in the conflict. The Saudi leadership views the Palestinian issue as a non-negotiable matter of national and religious identity, making it a red line they are unwilling to cross without substantial, tangible progress for the Palestinians .
What This Means for the Region
The potential US-Saudi security pact would be a major strategic win for both nations. For Saudi Arabia, it offers a powerful deterrent against regional rivals like Iran. For the US, it cements its influence in the oil-rich Gulf and provides a stable platform for its military operations in the region.
However, the lack of a concurrent Israel deal leaves a critical piece of the puzzle missing. Without Saudi Arabia’s participation, a broader regional security architecture that includes Israel is unlikely to materialize, leaving the door open for continued instability.
The world will be watching closely on November 18th to see if MBS and Trump can bridge their differences and deliver on their ambitious, yet divergent, visions for the future of the Middle East.
