In the aftermath of Israel’s war in Gaza, Blinken conducted a whirlwind trip through the Middle East, trying to negotiate humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
By the time Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia to meet MBS, he was exhausted, journalist Bob Woodward writes in his new book, “War,” which was obtained by CNN ahead of its October 15 release.
But the crown prince, a “night owl,” kept Blinken and his team up all night before finally meeting. Woodward quotes Blinken saying, “MBS was nothing more than a spoiled child.”
“Do I want it?” MBS said and tapped his heart, Woodard writes. “It doesn’t matter that much. Do I need it? Absolutely.”
Woodward also recounts a meeting that Graham, the South Carolina senator, had with the crown prince in March.
“Hey, let’s call Trump,” Graham said to MBS while visiting with the Saudi leader in March.
Woodward also writes that the Saudi leader operates and communicates with various world leaders and government officials. Woodward says bin Salman had an aide bring over a bag with about 50 burner phones, pulling out one labeled “TRUMP 45.”
Among the others in the bag, Woodward writes, was a burner labeled “JAKE SULLIVAN.”