US set to lift 2021 ban on offensive weapons sales to Riyadh | World News | WION
Summary
TLDRThe United States is reportedly considering lifting a nearly three-year ban on selling offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, imposed by President Biden's administration in 2021 due to Saudi-led coalition actions during the Yemeni Civil War. The reversal may come as early as within a week, influenced by the Houthi's targeting of ships in the Mandab Strait and the group's reclassification as a global terror entity. A potential bilateral deal between the US and Saudi Arabia could include a defense pact and cooperation in the kingdom's civilian nuclear program, contingent on Israeli actions and possibly normalizing ties with Taiwan. Despite Biden's past criticism of Saudi Arabia, regional hostilities and the need for strengthened bilateral ties seem to be driving the policy shift.
Takeaways
- 🇺🇸 The United States is considering lifting a nearly three-year ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, possibly within a week.
- 🚫 The ban was imposed in 2021 by President Biden's administration due to the Saudi-led coalition's conduct during the Yemeni Civil War.
- 🛡️ The US had suspended the sale of armaments in response to the coalition's actions, which began in 2015 against the Houthi rebels following the capture of the capital, Sanaa.
- 🕊️ The US has been reconsidering the ban since the UN brokered a ceasefire in 2022, which saw Saudi Arabia reduce its involvement in the conflict.
- 🔄 Tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia have fluctuated, with peace talks between Riyadh and the Houthis stalling after recent attacks and conflicts.
- 🚢 A key factor for lifting the ban may be the Houthi's targeting of ships in the strategic Mandab Strait, leading to their classification as a global terror group by Washington.
- 🤝 High-ranking US lawmakers indicate that a bilateral deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is nearing completion, potentially including a defense pact and cooperation on Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program.
- 🔗 The deal may also involve normalized ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, contingent on Israeli actions in the region.
- 🤔 The White House has not directly commented on the potential deal or the reasons behind lifting the weapons ban.
- 🗳️ President Biden had previously campaigned against Saudi interests, criticizing their role in the Yemeni Civil War and promising to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' state following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- 🔄 Despite past tensions, the recent Israel-Hamas conflict and regional hostilities seem to be prompting the White House to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia, setting aside previous complaints.
Q & A
Why did the United States initially ban the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia?
-The U.S. banned the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in early 2021 due to the Saudi-led coalition's conduct during its intervention in the Yemeni Civil War.
What was the Saudi-led coalition's stance when they entered the Yemeni Civil War in 2015?
-The Saudi-led coalition entered the war in opposition to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, following the seizure of the capital city of Sanaa and the overthrow of the Yemeni government.
What prompted the U.S. to reconsider overturning the ban on weapon sales to Saudi Arabia?
-The U.S. started reconsidering overturning the ban since a UN-brokered truce in 2022, which saw Saudi Arabia reduce its involvement in the Yemeni conflict.
What recent event has stalled progress in peace talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis?
-Progress in peace talks has stalled following the Houthi's October 7th attack and Israel's controversial invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Why was the Houthi movement reclassified as a global terror group by Washington?
-The Houthi movement was reclassified as a global terror group by Washington due to their active involvement in targeting ships passing through the strategic Mandab Strait.
What is the potential content of the bilateral deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia?
-The bilateral deal may include a defense pact and American cooperation in Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program.
How might the situation in Rafah affect the terms of the bilateral deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia?
-The deal contingent on Israeli actions in Rafah may also see terms set to normalize ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
What was President Biden's stance on Saudi interests prior to the 2019 elections?
-President Biden actively campaigned against Saudi interests, referring to the Yemeni Civil War and accusing Saudi forces of murdering children. He also promised to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' state in 2018 following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
How has the regional hostilities triggered by the Israel-Hamas War influenced U.S.-Saudi relations?
-The regional hostilities have led the White House to rely more on Riyadh, seemingly dispelling past complaints and reinforcing bilateral ties between the two nations.
What is the current status of the U.S. comment on the potential reversal of the weapons ban and the bilateral deal?
-The White House has declined to comment on the potential reversal of the weapons ban and the details of the bilateral deal directly.
What was the U.S.'s response to the Saudi-led coalition's actions in the Yemeni Civil War prior to the ban on weapon sales?
-The U.S. suspended the sale of armaments to Saudi Arabia in response to the coalition's conduct during the intervention in the Yemeni Civil War.
Outlines
🇺🇸 US Considers Reversing Saudi Arms Ban
The United States is mulling over the reversal of a nearly three-year-old ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, which was imposed by President Biden's administration in response to the Saudi-led coalition's conduct during the Yemeni Civil War. The ban was put in place in 2021 after the coalition's actions in Yemen, which began in 2015 against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels following their takeover of the capital, Sanaa. The US has been reconsidering this ban since the UN brokered a ceasefire in 2022, which led to a reduction in Saudi involvement in the conflict. However, recent tensions have escalated due to the Houthi's targeting of ships in the Mandab Strait, leading to their classification as a global terror group by the US in January. High-ranking lawmakers have indicated that a bilateral deal is being finalized, potentially including a defense pact and American cooperation in Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program. The deal may also hinge on normalized ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the White House declining to comment directly. Despite Biden's previous criticism of Saudi actions and promises to hold them accountable, the regional hostilities and reliance on Saudi Arabia seem to be overshadowing past grievances, leading to a strengthening of bilateral ties.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡United States
💡Saudi Arabia
💡Offensive Weapons
💡Yemeni Civil War
💡Arab Coalition
💡Houthis
💡UN Brokered Troops
💡Bilateral Deal
💡Normalization of Ties
💡Jamal Khashoggi
💡Israel-Hamas War
Highlights
The United States is expected to reverse its ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia.
The ban was placed by President Biden's Administration nearly three years ago and may be lifted within a week.
The US suspended the sale of armaments to Saudi Arabia in 2021 due to the Saudi-led coalition's conduct during the Yemeni Civil War.
The Arab coalition entered the war in 2015 against the Iranian-backed Houthis following the seizure of the capital city of Sanaa.
The US has been reconsidering overturning the ban since a UN brokered ceasefire in 2022.
Tensions have risen between the US and Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh engaging in peace talks with the Houthis.
Progress in peace talks has stalled following Hamas's attack and Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip.
The reversal of the weapons ban could be influenced by the Houthi's targeting of ships passing through the Mandab Strait.
Washington reclassified the Houthi rebels as a global terror group in January.
High-ranking lawmakers have revealed that the US and Saudi Arabia are close to finalizing a bilateral deal.
The deal may include a defense pact and American cooperation in Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program.
The deal is contingent on Israeli actions and may include terms to normalize ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
The White House has declined to comment on the potential deal directly.
Biden campaigned against Saudi interests, accusing Saudi forces of murdering children and promising to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' state.
Despite past complaints, the White House's reliance on Riyadh seems to be reinforcing bilateral ties between the two nations.
The regional hostilities triggered by the Israel-Hamas War are a key factor in the US's renewed relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Transcripts
moving on the United States is expected
to reverse its ban on the sale of
offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia the
ban placed by President Biden's
Administration nearly three years ago
may be lifted in as little a time as
under a week the US suspended sale of
such armaments to the kingdom early in
2021 in response to a Saudi Le Coalition
conduct during an intervention in the
yemeni Civil War the Arab coalation
entered the war in 2015 in opposition to
ranian back houis following the seizure
of the capital city of saana and the
ouer of the yemeni
government the US has been reconsidering
overturning this ban since a un broker
troops in 2022 which saw the kingdom
dial down its involvement in the yemeni
conflict in recent years tensions have
assed between both sides and Riad
engaging in peace talks with the ho
progress in the peace talks have stalled
following hamas's October 7th attack and
also Israel's controversial invasion of
the Gaza Strip well a key reason behind
the reversal of this weapons ban could
also be the active houti involvement in
targeting ships passing through the
bubble mandab Strait an act that saw
Washington reclassify the rebels as a
global terror group earlier this January
high ranking lawmakers in Washington
have revealed that both both nations are
close to finalizing a bilateral deal
that may include a defense paact and
American cooperation in the kingdoms
civilan nuclear
program the deal contingent on Israeli
actions in Rafa may also see terms set
to normalized ties between Riad and T
aiv the White House however has declined
to comment on this directly it is also
interesting and important to point out
that Biden actively campaigned against
Saudi interests the lead up to the 2019
elections in an apparent reference to
the yemeni Civil War Biden accused Saudi
forces of murdering children Biden also
promised to make Saudi Arabia a paraya
state in 2018 following the
assassination of journalist Jamal kogi
at its Embassy in
Istanbul however given the regional
hostilities triggered by the Israel
Hamas War the White House Reliance on
RAD seems to be dispelling past
complaints and reinforcing bilateral
ties between both the Nations Mr
President have you seen the agency
report
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