Staff Reports
The Biden administration plans to lift a ban on selling offensive weapons to a country that President Biden once criticized as a “pariah,” as reported by Financial Times. This decision comes after the U.S. government informed Saudi Arabian officials that they are prepared to end the embargo. The ban was put in place by President Biden shortly after he took office in 2021 due to concerns about Saudi Arabia’s actions in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis.
During his presidential campaign, Biden referred to Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” state and accused them of harming children in Yemen, according to Financial Times. Despite these previous statements, the U.S. is now considering Saudi Arabia as a crucial partner in the Middle East, especially after recent turmoil following attacks on Israel on October 7th.
Biden Reportedly Will Lift Weapons Sale Ban On Country He Previously Called ‘Pariah’ https://t.co/pegXMHWtFW
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 27, 2024
American policymakers believe that aligning with Saudi Arabia is vital for stability in the region, notes Financial Times. Negotiations are underway for various agreements with Saudi Arabia, including their civilian nuclear program and a defense pact. There are also discussions about Saudi Arabia potentially normalizing relations with Israel, contingent upon progress towards establishing a Palestinian state, a position that may face challenges in Israel presently.
Some experts view lifting the ban on weapon sales to Saudi Arabia as a positive step in rebuilding the relationship between the two countries, according to Financial Times. The recent behavior of the Houthis, who have escalated attacks since October 7, is cited as a reason for prioritizing ties with Saudi Arabia.
Conservatives may see this decision as a pragmatic move to strengthen alliances in a volatile region and counter threats posed by Iran and its proxies like the Houthis. The potential for Saudi Arabia to align with Israel could also be viewed as a step towards broader regional stability. It remains to be seen how this shift in policy will impact the situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East.
The White House has not provided immediate comments on this development. As this story unfolds, it underlines the complexities of foreign policy and the challenges of balancing strategic interests with human rights concerns in the Middle East.
