Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, has been chosen to become the next ambassador to the United States. She is the first woman in Saudi Arabia to take on such a role in international diplomacy. The announcement was made by royal decree on Saturday, February 23. Princess Reema is specifically fitted for her new role, as she spent a portion of her childhood in Washington DC. Though she is more than capable to assume the position, she takes it on at a difficult time in light of the recent death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has caused international outcry. The situation was at first confusing, creating many questions as the Saudi Arabian government gave conflicting reports on the events surrounding Khashoggi’s death. However, eventually under increasing pressure, the kingdom announced that the journalists was in fact murdered upon entering the country’s consulate in Istanbul. Preceding his death, he was a columnist for the Washington Post where he frequently wrote criticism of the Saudi government. However, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in the journalists death, though the international community has expressed doubts. Among the many countries who have questioned the Saudi government’s claims is the United States, making Princess Reema’s job as the US ambassador even more difficult. She spent much of her life preparing for her future role as ambassador to the United States, living in Washington DC for a large part of her childhood. She even received her bachelor’s degree in art at the University of George Washington. She returned to Saudi Arabia in 2005, where she has been working in private in public sectors in preparation for her future position in the Saudi government. The Princess is widely regarded as one of the strongest of the few voices advocating for the rights of women in Saudi Arabia, with work in trying to increase women’s role in sports and athletics and advocating for treatment and awareness of breast cancer.
