In the past, President Biden has called Saudi Arabia a \u201cpariah\u201d for its human rights abuses and said that he would never meet with its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.\n\nBut Mr. Biden\u2019s first trip as president to the Middle East included talks with the prince. What prompted the change in course?\n\nGuest: Ben Hubbard, the Beirut bureau chief for The New York Times.