The Biden administration is close to finalizing a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia that would require the Persian Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for U.S. military cooperation, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
In reciprocity for the commitment to defend the Kingdom, the pact would open Saudi Arabian territory and airspace for use by the U.S. military to protect American interests in the Middle East.
“It would be the first time the U.S. concluded a mutual defense pact that would carry the force of law since the 1960 revision of the U.S.-Japan treaty, and the first time it concluded such an agreement with an authoritarian country,” Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told the newspaper.
The report noted that White House officials also see the accord as helpful in prohibiting China from making similar arrangements with Riyadh, as well as limiting the regional influence of the regime in Tehran.
The Journal cited sources suggesting that the partnership is likely to face significant challenges, including the need for a two-thirds majority vote in the U.S. Senate and Saudi Arabia's conditions for resolving the Gaza conflict, as well as a commitment from Jerusalem to recognize a Palestinian state.
In addition to the three governments needed to ratify the terms, requests by the Saudis to have the U.S. assist them in developing nuclear technology as part of the deal would likely face further opposition from American and Israeli lawmakers.
If the measure comes into force, then Saudi Arabia will become the first Arab nation to have a formal security alliance with the U.S.
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