Background
The United States has over 70 years of history being Saudi Arabia’s strategic partner. There have been a set of circumstances that have driven this cooperation. Access to energy, markets for american arms manufacturers, fighting terrorism and for projecting power against China and Russia. Over the years our interdependence has grown despite cultural differences, specifically on human rights.
The Saudis are dependent on the United States not just for purchasing weapons but also training, maintenance and parts to use these weapons.
General
15 retired US General or Admirals have worked for Saudi Arabia since 2016
Hundreds of former military members work as contractors for Saudi Arabia
Yes
*The Saudi Military is dependent on ex US service members creating leverage for US
*The Saudi Military produces large amount of the world’s oil – this helps protect that
*Ex military working for the Saudi’s gives the US access to information
*It is important to fight the war of terrorism
*Saudi Arabia’s human rights policy is evolving
The Saudi’s get military help and the US gets better ties
Oil, defenese and fighting terrorism make this relationship vital to the US
Why Saudi Arm sales are a strategic necessity
Why Saudi Arm sales are a strategic necessity
Progress is being made on womens’ rights
No
*This is an effort to buy influence with the US – we want to stop foreign influence
*There are cases ongoing about failures in disclosure rules
*The armed forces of the US are trying to keep this secret
*Yemen justifies an end to US military support to Saudi Arabia
*Human rights violations justify ending the practice
*We should withdraw these workers until Saudi Arabia reduces oil prices
Saudi Arabia is spending big to buy influence
The State Department of the United States is trying to keep this secret
Saudi Arabia is using the US to further its brutal war in Yemen
President Biden has backtracked – and supports continued ties with Saudi Arabia