According to a report, the United States is preparing to reverse the prohibition on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia.
This development is occurring amidst the Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip and Iran’s ongoing aggression, which has caused instability in the region. The lifting of the ban signifies a positive improvement in the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has a long history of being a significant purchaser of US arms. In fact, from 2019 to 2023, Saudi Arabia ranked as the top buyer of US weapons, as indicated by the Trends In International Arms Trade 2023 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
It is reported that the Joe Biden administration may announce the lifting of the ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia within a few weeks, as stated by the Financial Times. The newspaper also mentioned that the US has already communicated this intention to Saudi Arabia.
The ban was initially imposed in 2021 shortly after President Biden assumed office. During that time, he criticized Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Yemeni Civil War and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018. President Biden expressed his determination to ostracize Saudi Arabia due to its human rights record.
In February 2021, the US intelligence community concluded that Khashoggi was killed in Istanbul, Turkey on the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who holds de-facto control over the kingdom.
However, the ban has been under review since 2022 when the United Nations (UN) facilitated a ceasefire in Yemen and Saudi Arabia reduced its engagement in the region.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a crucial partner for the United States in the Middle East, despite initial reservations. The Biden administration recognizes the significance of Saudi support in addressing key regional issues and ensuring stability in the Middle East, particularly in the realm of energy.
Efforts to strengthen the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia are underway, with discussions centered around various agreements. These agreements are expected to encompass mutual security guarantees, defense deals, and potentially even a normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, any progress towards normalization is contingent upon the establishment of a sustainable path towards Palestinian statehood.
Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator with close ties to the Saudi court, emphasized the importance of lifting the ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia. He believes that this move would play a significant role in rebuilding the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, especially considering the concerning behavior of the Houthis since October 7th.
