Analysis: Despite his pledges to prioritize human rights and shun the Saudi crown prince, America's inflation and soaring gas prices push the president to visit the oil-rich country; Biden's trip to Israel days earlier is the calm before the storm awaiting him in Riyadh.

Biden's announcement on Tuesday of his planned Mid east visit to Israel, the Palestinians Authority and Saudi Arabia, was not billed as a solution to any of the above. The topic of oil was subdued in the official statements, an obvious sign that it is of upmost concern.