The United States is looking to reduce the influence of Chinese technology in Saudi Arabia through a defense agreement. This deal would give the US a strategic position in the region, countering the growing power of Beijing and Moscow in the area. However, there are concerns about President Biden’s ability to push this deal forward without including Israel and its normalization with Saudi Arabia.
The American Congress may pose a challenge in approving the deal, which promises substantial benefits for Saudi Arabia, particularly in the nuclear sector. There are doubts about whether there will be any apparent benefits for Israel in this agreement. Despite Biden’s efforts to push for this deal, time is running out as it could be a significant achievement in his foreign policy agenda leading up to the November presidential elections.
Israel has been presented with a choice: join the deal for normalization with Saudi Arabia or be left behind. Netanyahu has made it clear that he requires an end to the conflict in Gaza Strip and agreement to future plans for a Palestinian state before joining the agreement.
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, has indicated that an agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia is close to completion following intensive negotiations. If Israel does not agree to the terms of the deal, a backup plan involving promoting a civilian nuclear program in the region has been devised by both countries.
During Blinken’s recent visit to Riyadh, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who expressed support for the Palestinian cause. However, potential stumbling blocks remain such as Israel’s insistence on achieving “total victory” over Hamas before agreeing to any ceasefire terms. Despite Blinken’s opposition to large-scale operations in Gaza Strip, concerns persist regarding how this proposed agreement will impact
