Global Geopolitical Series: Pompeo pressured to condemn Saudi abduction of activists

As the United States left Canada alone in its bitter feud with Saudi Arabia over the abduction of two female social activists by the Kingdom, American lawmakers have come forwarded in support. The feud was triggered after Canadian foreign minister criticized the kingdom for jailing activists and called for their release in a tweet, “Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi’s sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi.”

The criticism infuriated the Kingdom, which then severed diplomatic relations with Canada by calling its ambassadors to the country back home and expelling the Canadian ambassador to the country. The Kingdom took further measures by announcing that it would allow no fresh investments in Canada and halted key imports like Grain. The Kingdom also ordered all Saudi students to home.

The response shocked Canada, as well as the International community. Since the crisis in early August, Canada has been struggling to find friends to pursue the Kingdom to resolve the issue as the United States made it clear that it will not be engaging into the feud.

Now, a group of American lawmakers have team up and have tried to come to the rescue. In a letter to the Secretary of the State Department, the lawmakers have urged Mike Pompeo to take up steps and urged him to uphold the nation’s fundamental values and stand with Canada to deploy all diplomatic tools at disposal to secure the release of Ms. Badawi and all imprisoned human rights advocates. The letter also points out that Ms. Badwai was the receiver of the department’s International Women of Courage Award in 2012.

however, the written letter may fail to make any major breakthrough as the foreign policies are directed by the President, and Mr. Trump is weighing on Saudi Arabia to bring peace to the Middle East, at a time when his relationship with Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has soured over trade negotiations.