**U.S. and Saudi Arabia Work Towards Standalone Security Agreement Amid Diplomatic Dynamics**

Recent discussions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have centered around a potential security arrangement that operates independently of a comprehensive agreement with Israel, sources reveal. While not encompassing the extensive defense treaty initially contemplated, both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and the White House aim to finalize this security pact before President Biden's term concludes in January.

Prior to the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, the Biden administration was in the midst of negotiating a significant tri-lateral deal involving peace accords between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, the current focus has shifted towards a more contained bilateral agreement.

Behind the scenes, the momentum for this U.S.-Saudi security agreement was evident last week when Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban visited the White House. During his visit, al-Aiban engaged in discussions with his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan, along with Biden's advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, sources familiar with the meetings confirmed.

The goal is to establish a bilateral accord in line with similar agreements the U.S. has secured with other Gulf nations recently. Such agreements have been crucial in bolstering U.S. strategic positioning in the region. This move is seen in part as an effort by the Biden administration to counterbalance the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Gulf over the past four years.