Offensive Weapons Sales
On Friday, the Biden administration announced its decision to lift the ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, a policy reversal aimed at addressing the complex dynamics in the Middle East.
This move marks a significant shift from a three-year-old policy that sought to pressure Saudi Arabia to de-escalate its involvement in the Yemen conflict.
The US State Department confirmed that it would resume certain transfers of air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia.
This decision aligns with the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The announcement follows Reuters’ early report, which cited multiple sources regarding the development.
This policy change was briefed to Congress earlier this week, with one source indicating that sales could potentially resume as soon as next week.
The US government has already begun the process of notifying relevant parties about the resumption of these arms sales.
A senior Biden administration official stated, “The Saudis have met their end of the deal, and we are prepared to meet ours.”
This reflects the administration’s view that Saudi Arabia has made sufficient progress in addressing concerns that led to the original ban.
Under US law, major international weapons deals require congressional review before finalization, and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have previously raised concerns about the impact of these sales on civilians and human rights.
However, opposition to the arms sales has diminished recently due to ongoing regional tensions.
The situation in the Middle East has become more volatile following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which has prompted the US and Saudi Arabia to collaborate more closely.
The conflict has also heightened regional threats, including those from Iran and Hezbollah, who have pledged retaliation against Israel.
Since March 2022, the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen has seen a significant reduction in hostilities, including a halt to Saudi airstrikes and a decrease in cross-border fire.
The US has noted improvements in Saudi Arabia’s civilian harm mitigation practices, partly due to US training and advisory efforts.
The Biden administration’s decision comes amid broader strategic considerations, including negotiations for a defense pact and civil nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
These efforts are part of a broader deal that could involve Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel, though this goal remains complex and elusive.
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