WASHINGTON — The United States government announced on Thursday that it has approved a major defense sale to Saudi Arabia, valued at $24.3 billion. The agreement involves the transfer of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to the Gulf kingdom.
The decision comes amid ongoing diplomatic complexities in the region. Israel, a key US ally with which Washington has been pushing for Saudi normalization, had previously expressed reservations regarding Riyadh’s acquisition of the advanced fighter aircraft.
Israel’s concerns stem from the F-35’s sophisticated technology and its potential impact on the regional military balance. Despite these objections, the US administration moved forward with the authorization, marking a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s military modernization efforts.
Wait, normalization is still on the table with these objections? How does that even work geopolitically?
A $24 billion deal shifts the regional balance. Israel’s worries are valid, but diplomacy matters more than worry.