In the US, the deal with Saudi Arabia is seen as a key milestone in the country’s foreign policy. One of the primary objectives of the agreement is to significantly reduce Chinese technology in the kingdom. With an advanced defense agreement in place, the US will gain a vital foothold in one of the most important countries in the region, against a backdrop of growing influence from Beijing and Moscow. However, many doubt that Biden can promote such a move without also including Israel and its normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Despite these concerns, there are efforts being made to implement the move in the near future, which could earn Biden a significant political achievement ahead of the presidential elections in November. The report suggests that once Saudi Arabia and the US complete their agreement, they will present it to Netanyahu for approval. Netanyahu has been hesitant to agree to any conditions for ending his war with Hamas without achieving “total victory.” Israel has emphasized recently that they will not give up on their goal of a large-scale operation in Rafah, even if it means going against Blinken’s opposition to such an operation.
However, it seems that there may be alternative plans being prepared by Blinken and other officials if Netanyahu does not agree to end his war with Hamas. A report by The Guardian suggests that Saudi Arabia and the US are working on a “Plan B” for their agreement, which includes establishing a civilian nuclear program but no enrichment capabilities at least in the first years. This news has raised concerns about potential security risks and arms race in Middle East region.
