Saudi Arabia Shifts to Modest Military Deal with US Amid Israel Stalemate

Nov 29, 2024, 02:31 PM

Saudi Arabia has abandoned its pursuit of an ambitious defense treaty with the United States in return for normalizing relations with Israel, according to two Saudi and four Western officials cited by Reuters. Instead, the kingdom is now seeking a more modest military cooperation agreement with Washington. This shift comes as Saudi Arabia faces a stalemate in its efforts to normalize relations with Israel, with the country reportedly pushing for a public commitment from Israel to a two-state solution. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has offered to boost trade with Iran while seeking a last-minute defense and strategic cooperation deal with the U.S. before President Biden leaves office, as a hedging act against potential increased pressure from Trump and Israel on Tehran.