What's happened
The US has agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in regional military dynamics. Israel, the only Middle Eastern country with F-35s, opposes the sale, fearing it will erode its military edge. The deal is linked to broader regional diplomacy and US-Saudi relations.
What's behind the headline?
The US sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia signals a strategic shift in Middle East geopolitics. While the US aims to strengthen its alliance with Saudi Arabia, it risks undermining Israel's military superiority, which is legally guaranteed by US law. Israel's opposition highlights the delicate balance of regional power and the importance of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge. The sale's linkage to broader diplomatic negotiations, including Saudi normalization with Israel, suggests the US is using military sales as leverage for regional diplomacy. The limited number and less advanced models sold to Saudi Arabia indicate a cautious approach, but the potential for future escalation remains. This move will likely influence regional alliances and could prompt Israel to accelerate its military modernization efforts. The deal underscores the US's balancing act between supporting its regional allies and managing the complex dynamics of Middle East diplomacy, especially regarding Palestinian statehood and normalization efforts.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Israel is concerned about its military edge being compromised by the sale, emphasizing that the F-35s sold to Saudi Arabia will be less advanced than Israel's. Reuters highlights the long-standing US understanding to maintain Israel's qualitative edge and notes the limited scope of the Saudi deal. The New Arab discusses the broader diplomatic context, including US-Saudi relations and the potential linkage to regional normalization efforts, with Israeli officials expressing skepticism about future deals without progress on Palestinian statehood. The NY Post emphasizes the strategic importance of the sale and the US's intent to balance regional security cooperation with Israel's concerns, noting the potential impact on regional stability and alliances.
How we got here
Israel is the only Middle East country operating the F-35, with 45 jets and 30 on order. The US guarantees Israel a 'qualitative military edge' through law. Saudi Arabia's interest in acquiring F-35s has been longstanding, but the sale has faced opposition from Israel, which fears regional imbalance. The US and Israel have a long-standing understanding to maintain Israel's military superiority, and the sale to Saudi Arabia is seen as a potential challenge to this balance. The deal was announced during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, amid broader US-Saudi agreements on defense, nuclear energy, and economic cooperation.
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Common question
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What Are the Implications of the US Considering F-35 Sales to Saudi Arabia?
The US is currently weighing the possibility of selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could reshape regional power dynamics. This decision is closely linked to broader diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Many are wondering what this means for regional stability, alliances, and security. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this potential arms deal and its wider impact.
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