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By Robert Birsel
Reporter
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President Donald Trump designated Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally on Tuesday, opening opportunities for more defense trade and security cooperation between the United States and its key partner in the Middle East.
Why It Matters
The United States grants the designation to close allies that have strategic working relationships with the U.S. military and are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
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Saudi Arabia’s neighbors in the Middle East, including Israel, will be watching to see the implications of the designation while human rights groups critical of Saudi Arabia’s record are likely to raise objections.
What To Know
Trump made the announcement at a dinner for visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after they held talks that included the signing of a strategic defense agreement.
“Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally," Trump said in a speech at the gathering.
Saudi Arabia becomes the 20th major non-NATO ally. The others are Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
Major oil producer Saudi Arabia has been a key partner in the Middle East for the United States for years and Trump is hoping the kingdom will step up to bolster his peace plan for Gaza and play a major role in funding the territory’s reconstruction.
Trump also said at the dinner that he hoped the crown prince would serve on a Board of Peace, set up to implement the peace plan as a transitional authority.
“I hope your highness will be on the board,” the president said. “You’ll accept, I hope.”
On Monday, in another major step, Trump said he will approve the sale of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The sale has raised concerns in Israel that it would lose its military edge in the Middle East. Outgoing strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, expressed Israel’s concerns to U.S. officials in Washington over the deal, according to Israeli media.
Trump heaped praise on the crown prince to the media at the White House. "I’m very proud of the job he’s done," he said, adding, "What he’s done is incredible in terms of human rights and everything else."
Saudi Arabia and the 40-year-old crown prince have for years faced criticism from rights organizations for human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression, women's rights and over executions. The 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul raised particular outrage.
"As far as this gentleman is concerned, he's done a phenomenal job," Trump said, referring to the crown prince, when a reporter asked about the slain journalist.
What People Are Saying
Trump, about Khashoggi to reporters in the White House: "You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about, whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that."
What Happens Next
Congressional scrutiny of arms sales and foreign policy decisions linked to Saudi Arabia is expected to intensify, as lawmakers face pressure from advocacy organizations to tie future cooperation to the release of political prisoners, greater freedoms for activists and journalists, and accountability for past abuses.
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