The United States and Saudi Arabia are close to agreeing on a historic deal that will provide security for Saudi Arabia and pave the way for diplomatic relations with Israel. This was revealed by many people who had knowledge of the situation.
Although there are many obstacles to reaching an agreement, the latest agreement is based on a proposed framework that was suspended when the Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year, triggering a conflict in the Palestinian autonomous region of Gaza. Talks have accelerated in recent weeks, with officials saying the US and Saudi Arabia could reach an agreement within weeks, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential.
Saudi Arabia is resuming talks to strengthen defense cooperation with US officials
If an agreement is reached, it could completely change the situation in the Middle East. In addition to increasing Israeli and Saudi security, it could also strengthen the US position in the Middle East and weaken the influence of Iran and China.
The deal may also allow Saudi Arabia to obtain advanced US weapons to which it previously did not have access. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed agrees to restrict Chinese technology from the country’s most sensitive networks in exchange for a major US investment, potentially winning US support in building a civilian nuclear program.
If the United States and Saudi Arabia reach an agreement, they are expected to make an offer to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In particular, Mr Netanyahu is expected to be forced to choose whether to join the deal, which establishes formal diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia for the first time and aims to increase investment and regional integration, or be leave behind A key condition for Prime Minister Netanyahu will be to agree on a path to end the conflict in Gaza and establish a Palestinian state.
US President Biden (left) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed (July 2022)
(Photo by Royal Court of Saudi Arabia / Leaflet/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Photographer: Anadolu Agency/Anadolu
news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Original title: US and Saudis Defense Deal Aimed at Reshaping the Middle East (excerpt)
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