US set to lift 2021 ban on offensive weapons sales to Riyadh | World News | WION

Summary

The 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.