Five things to watch as Biden heads to the Middle East

President Biden will land in Israel on Wednesday for his first presidential visit to the Middle East, seeking to reassert U.S. influence in the region.

The trip has already been marked by controversy due to Biden’s plans to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS. Biden will spend a few days in Israel before traveling to Saudi Arabia.

Threats from Iran and domestic concerns about energy production are expected to be dominant issues on the trip. Here are five things to watch.

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Experts say that Biden can use the meeting to improve coordination with Gulf countries on energy security and address questions about plans for a price cap on Russian oil, though it’s unlikely to result in an immediate commitment by Saudi Arabia to increase oil production.

“I think progress probably could look like some sort of joint projects around both renewable energy and maybe some more sort of positive language around Saudis being involved in stabilizing the market, greater coordination,” said Rachel Ziemba, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

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