United States

U.S. nears historic defense treaty with Saudi Arabia to promote Israel normalization

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • The U.S. is close to finalizing a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia to encourage normalization with Israel.
  • The treaty includes U.S. security guarantees and potential access to advanced military technology for Saudi Arabia.
  • The agreement faces significant challenges, including Congressional approval and concerns about regional stability and nuclear proliferation.

The Biden administration is on the cusp of finalizing a landmark defense treaty with Saudi Arabia, a strategic move designed to encourage normalization between the Kingdom and Israel. This historic agreement, which promises U.S. security guarantees to Saudi Arabia, is poised to significantly alter the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

The proposed defense treaty is part of a broader U.S. strategy to foster stability in the Middle East by strengthening alliances and countering regional threats. According to sources, the treaty would commit the U.S. to defend Saudi Arabia against external threats, similar to the defense pact the U.S. has with South Korea. However, it stops short of the mutual defense guarantee enshrined in NATO’s Article 5.

Ali Bakir, a professor at Qatar University, described the potential deal as "vague and general," noting that it may not fully meet Saudi Arabia's demands given the complex security environment of the Middle East, where non-state actors play a significant role.

Saudi Arabia's Expectations

Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeks robust security guarantees and access to advanced U.S. military technology. The Kingdom's primary objective is to secure American underwriting of its defense, potentially including its civilian nuclear program. This would not only enhance Saudi Arabia's military capabilities but also position it as a formidable power in the region.

Kristian Alexander, head of the International Security and Terrorism Program at Trends Research & Advisory, highlighted that the U.S. would provide security guarantees to Saudi Arabia, which might include commitments to defend the Kingdom in the event of external threats. The agreement could also allow Saudi Arabia access to sophisticated U.S. military technology that was previously restricted.

U.S. Strategic Interests

For the U.S., the defense treaty with Saudi Arabia is a strategic move to counter Iranian influence and limit China's growing presence in the region. The Biden administration is also leveraging this agreement to push for Saudi-Israel normalization, a significant diplomatic win that could reshape alliances in the Middle East.

According to Bloomberg, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would "limit Chinese technology from his nation’s most sensitive networks in exchange for major U.S. investments in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and get American help to build out its civilian nuclear program".

Challenges and Skepticism

Despite the potential benefits, the proposed defense treaty faces significant challenges. The U.S. Congress, which must approve the agreement, is divided on the issue. Some lawmakers view Saudi Arabia as an unreliable partner due to its human rights record and involvement in the Yemen conflict. Additionally, the absence of Saudi-Israeli normalization poses a significant obstacle, as Congress is unlikely to approve any defense pact without it.

Moreover, the logistics of formalizing such a defense agreement are complex. The U.S. does not easily create formal defense agreements, and the Saudis will want something written in stone. "The United States doesn’t have defense pacts with a lot of countries. It has mutual defense pacts with countries in NATO. But the idea of a written defense pact is not something the United States normally gives nor does it give because it means that there’s a possibility that Americans will die in accordance with the requirements of the pact, and that requires a lot on the other side," said Alterman.

Potential Risks

Critics argue that the defense treaty could embolden Saudi Arabia's military interventionism and increase the risk of a nuclear arms race in the Persian Gulf. The deal could also draw U.S. forces into regional conflicts, especially if the two countries have signed a defense pact. Furthermore, the combination of strengthened security ties and U.S. assistance for developing civilian nuclear power in Saudi Arabia may not prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons but instead increase the risk.

The Biden administration's push for a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia is a bold move aimed at reshaping the Middle East's geopolitical landscape. While the potential benefits are significant, the challenges and risks cannot be ignored. As negotiations continue, the world watches closely to see if this landmark agreement will come to fruition and what it will mean for the future of the region.


Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege

Read More

Culture Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 5, 2025 at 9:00:00 PM

Quiet firing is more common than you think — and much harder to fight

On July 3, a Singapore-based Reddit user shared a situation that felt both familiar and deeply disorienting. Posting under the name u/Educational_Dress692, they...

Leadership Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
LeadershipJuly 5, 2025 at 9:00:00 PM

Better leadership begins with clarity, not control

A founder recently told me, “I think I need to show up more as a leader.” I asked, “What does that mean?” He...

Financial Planning Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJuly 5, 2025 at 9:00:00 PM

Blunt comments about divorce and financial failure

Kevin O’Leary, the Canadian entrepreneur and Shark Tank star known for his no-nonsense style, recently stirred public debate by calling divorce “a stupid...

Relationships Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
RelationshipsJuly 5, 2025 at 9:00:00 PM

How your anxiety may be making your pet anxious

We don't usually think of pets as mirrors. But that's exactly what they are—reactive systems that sync with ours. Not metaphorically. Biologically. Dogs,...

Financial Planning Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJuly 5, 2025 at 9:00:00 PM

How Trump tariffs are making it harder for Americans to pay down debt

When Donald Trump re-entered the White House, he wasted no time returning to a familiar economic lever: tariffs. Promoted as tools to strengthen...

Lifestyle Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
LifestyleJuly 5, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Black beans inflammation protocol shows promise in new study

Most people live with inflammation every day without realizing it. It’s not dramatic like an injury. It doesn’t demand your attention like a...

Culture Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 5, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

What these layoffs really say about business strategy

Corporate layoffs are back in the headlines. Again. But this time, it’s not just Big Tech taking a scalpel to bloated teams. Consumer...

Tax Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
TaxJuly 5, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Why new Trump tax deductions may offer little relief for low-income workers

When politicians talk about tax cuts, it often sounds like good news for everyone. But in reality, not all tax relief lands the...

Financial Planning Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Financial PlanningJuly 5, 2025 at 2:30:00 PM

How to break free from payday loan debt—for good

You didn’t plan to end up here. Payday loans always start as a stopgap, a bridge over a cash-flow gap, a short-term fix...

Marketing Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
MarketingJuly 5, 2025 at 2:30:00 PM

What happens when you speak slower—and why consumers respond

In most early-stage teams, voice isn’t something we design. It’s something we inherit. We pitch, we brief, we reassure, all with the same...

Finance Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
FinanceJuly 5, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

How the US could undermine its own currency—and why it matters globally

I’m a journalist. I’m trained to remain detached, especially when writing about politics. But the past few months have tested that commitment—because when...

Real Estate Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
Real EstateJuly 5, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM

Singapore residential real estate market value 2024 rises to 26th globally

Singapore’s rise to 26th place in global residential real estate value, up four spots from 2019, is more than a point of national...

Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Load More
Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege