When an Israeli journalist surreptitiously entered Makkah recently, he violated more than just Saudi rules. It was an infringement of religious ritual and tradition and the responsibility required of everyone during this delicate period of Arab-Israeli rapprochement.

President Joe Biden is traveling to Jeddah at a time of unprecedented regional cohesion and coordination, offering hope for fresh advances on peace and stabilization efforts in a part of the world that has known too much strife and conflict.

Much has been made in recent months about a weakened US, humbled by its setbacks in Afghanistan and distracted by internal turmoil, abandoning its allies in the Arab world, and leaving behind a region mired in confusion and turmoil.