President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as ambassador to Saudi Arabia said the U.S. must engage and partner with the kingdom to counter threats from Sunni-Muslim extremism and Iran despite the killing of columnist Jamal Khashoggi and frustration over the war in Yemen.
"This is not to say that I am unaware of the challenges facing the U.S.-Saudi partnership today," retired Army Gen. John Abizaid told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing Wednesday. "War in Yemen, the senseless killing of Jamal Khashoggi, rifts in the Gulf alliance, alleged abuses of innocent people — to include an American citizen and female activists — all present immediate challenges.
"Yet in the long run, we need a strong and mature partnership with Saudi Arabia," Abizaid, 67, added.