US and Saudi officials are discussing the terms of a potential mutual defense treaty that would be similar to pacts the US has with South Korea and Japan, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
The discussions are part of a US effort to broker a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Riyadh’s main demands for normalization is for stronger security guarantees from the US and help in establishing a nuclear program.
Unnamed US officials told the Times that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regards a mutual defense agreement with the US “as the most important element in his talks with the Biden administration about Israel.”
Such an agreement would likely involve the US and Saudi Arabia pledging to provide military support if the other is attacked on Saudi territory or elsewhere in the Middle East. The comparison to the US pacts in East Asia suggests it could lead to a more robust US military presence in Saudi Arabia, as there are tens of thousands of US troops stationed in Japan and South Korea.
However, US officials told the Times that there are no serious discussions about establishing a large contingent of American troops in Saudi Arabia under the potential deal. According to a notification to Congress in June, there are currently about 2,700 US troops in the Kingdom.
While the Saudis are making demands of the US as a condition for normalization with Israel, there are signs a deal likely won’t be reached anytime soon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said a Saudi-Israeli normalization remains a “difficult proposition.” Two days later, the Saudi newspaper Elaph recently reported that Riyadh had pulled out of the negotiations, but the claim was denied by both the US and Israel.
If the US does pursue a mutual defense treaty with Saudi Arabia, it would risk escalating the war in Yemen, where a de facto ceasefire between the Saudis and the Houthis has been held since April 2022. There have been no Saudi airstrikes in Yemen or Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia, but a lasting peace deal or political settlement has not been signed, meaning the war could reignite.
The US-backed Saudi-led war on Yemen had a devastating toll on civilians due to the targeting of civilians and infrastructure and the blockade on the country, which has not been fully lifted. News of the Biden administration discussing the East Asia model for a Saudi mutual defense pact comes after a Human Rights Watch report said Saudi border forces killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants.
As if the US isn’t already sufficiently cozy with fanatical butchers. But anything goes when it comes to keeping the Lobby happy.
“US Discussing Mutual Defense Treaty With Saudi Arabia Similar to Japan, South Korea” Sorry, Dave. You didn’t do anything wrong, but the irony in that title with the specific mention of Japan and South Korea as real examples made me laugh–to tears. Who doesn’t enjoy Mafia humor? (Sarcasm)
You are full of sarcasm lately? Buying in bulk? Lol
It’s the only thing keeping me from crying all the time. Crying all the time is really ugly for a man in my age. LOL.
What happened last time we had troops in SA? Leave this odious regime along, with the money we save buy solar panels and electric cars and frack some more
Fracking days are over. U.S. will never anger the Saudis again. Even under a Trump administration.
Jeez, didn’t we “officially” declare that the Saudi’s were complicit regarding 9/11?
damnit
If by “we” you mean “the US government,” no.
But “we” should have.
And I thought we, the US government, did. But I did form it as a question so I could pretend it was a question.
OMG i wake up every morning and i make a pot of coffee and i look at the internet in hopes that i will take something of substance away with me. and there it is = “”But I did form it as a question so I could pretend it was a question“”
so hold on a moment, i am going to put your words into BOLD
OMG excellente!
it’s all about the quotation marks yo
Mutual Defense Treaty With Saudi Arabia
in other words, throw some more money around. what.
Well, anything to help derail the potential peace (arranged by China) between the Saudis and Iran has got to be for the best, right ? 😉
Isn’t it illogical for an aggressor nation to sign a security pact with a nation which is seeking security?
I depends on your definition of what an aggressor is. – Clinton doctrine
Now this is just sad for US to ask for a “mutual” treaty when they promised them full protection in the past.
I suspect this is only in play because US is planning to finally go after Iran.