The Takeaway: Biden, Arab leaders to discuss 'innovative' approaches to regional cooperation at Saudi summit

Also: Israeli tourists leave Turkey over Iran threat; Sadr withdraws from Iraqi parliament; Lebanon’s water crisis impacts electricity; Syria’s wheat shortage; Al-Azhar slams Disney’s gay characters; all in less than 1,400 words.
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U.S President Joe Biden departs after speaking during an event in the East Room of the White House September 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. - Win McNamee/Getty Images
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Our take: Biden, GCC+3 Summit to offer ‘innovative initiatives’ for region

US President Joe Biden, asked on June 12 about whether his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia  July 15-16 had anything to do with energy, responded, "No, the commitments from the Saudis don't relate to anything to do with energy. … It happens to be a larger meeting taking place in Saudi Arabia. That’s the reason I’m going. And it has to do with national security for them – (and) for (the) Israelis."

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