In a surprising move, the Biden administration has decided to lift its ban on selling offensive weaponry to Saudi Arabia, reports Reuters. This decision marks a significant reversal after a three-year ban imposed by the US. The change comes amidst ongoing efforts to broker a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The decision to lift the ban comes at a crucial time, with Russia reportedly deploying military intelligence officers to assist Yemen’s Houthis in targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The administration briefed Congress on this decision, signaling a shift in US policy towards Saudi Arabia.
Initially imposed in February 2022, the ban on offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia was a response to calls from lawmakers, activists, and anti-war groups to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition’s actions in Yemen. The conflict in Yemen began in 2014, leading to a brutal bombing campaign by the Saudi-led coalition that resulted in civilian casualties.
While the Biden administration initially took a hard line against Saudi Arabia, recent developments suggest a shift in priorities, particularly in light of attempts to forge a historic deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The situation is further complicated by US and UK military engagements against the Houthis in the Red Sea, prompting a renewed focus on the region’s complex dynamics.
With Middle East Eye reporting on Russian assistance to the Houthis, the situation in the region becomes even more nuanced. As the US continues to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, the dynamics of power and influence in the Middle East take on new dimensions.
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