US President Donald Trump welcomes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during an arrival ceremony at the White House on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Just three years ago, the US was openly reconsidering its relationship with Saudi Arabia. President Joe Biden had vowed to make Mohammed bin Salman a pariah. Even arms sales to one of America’s closest military partners were put under review.

This week, the crown prince and de facto Saudi leader walked into the Oval Office to find a different world - one where President Donald Trump defended him so forcefully that he scolded a reporter for “ embarrassing our guest ” when she pressed him on the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Beyond the Oval Office theatrics, the substance of t

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