Just in from the White House, President Joe Biden has chosen to remove restrictions on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. This decision is a reversal of a policy implemented earlier in his term. The aim of this move is to strengthen relations with a principal ally and counteract Iran.
The Biden administration had initially suspended the sale of precision-guided munitions and other weapons. This action was designed to motivate Riyadh to cease their war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. As per a senior US official who wished to remain anonymous, the Saudis have fulfilled their part of the agreement.
US priorities in the region have seen a shift since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and Iran-backed Houthis disrupted the shipping industry with attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The situation escalated following the recent assassination of a top Hamas leader in Tehran. Officials warn that Iran may strike Israel at any point.
What weapons might be included in the deal?
At this time, it is unclear what weapons could be part of this agreement. However, the previous suspension included a block on issuing a formal commercial license to RTX Corp., formerly known as Raytheon, to sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 precision-guided, air-to-ground munitions valued at $478 million.
This decision effectively eliminates the remaining traces of a policy Biden imposed to reduce ties with Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, after he took office. This policy was, in part, a protest against the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Why is Saudi Arabia crucial to US goals?
Saudi Arabia is now considered too essential to US objectives to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and in the growing battle with Iran and its proxies. The US has also been working to assemble a more significant strategic pact that would offer the kingdom security guarantees and lay out a possible pathway to diplomatic ties with Israel.
The official stated that Saudi weapons sales would return to “regular order,” wherein Congress is notified and consulted.
Let’s recall that Saudi Arabia previously battled the Houthis for seven years from 2015 in a conflict that ravaged Yemen, resulting in an estimated 370,000 people dead from fighting and famine.
Officials had hinted for months that Friday’s move was imminent. In June, a top Senate Democrat mentioned that lawmakers were reviewing limits on US weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, partly upon the White House’s request.
Key Takeaways
- President Joe Biden has reversed an early-term policy, lifting limits on the sale of offensive weaponry to Saudi Arabia.
- The move aims to strengthen ties with the kingdom and counter Iran’s influence in the region.
- The decision could include the sale of 7,500 precision-guided, air-to-ground munitions from RTX Corp., valued at $478 million.
- Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance in ending the Israel-Hamas conflict and countering Iran justifies the reversal of the policy.
- Officials signaled for months that this policy change was forthcoming.
As this situation continues to develop, we will keep you informed with the latest updates and analyses.
