As regional and global tensions continue to escalate, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, to discuss bilateral relations, strategic defense cooperation, and ways to strengthen security and stability. These discussions come at a critical time, with ongoing crises in Gaza, rising tensions with Iran, shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Gulf, and the U.S.-China rivalry shaping the region’s future.
The fundamental question remains: Is Saudi Arabia truly a strategic partner in this relationship, or is it merely a subordinate player serving Washington’s broader military objectives?
Saudi Arabia: Partner or Subordinate in U.S. Strategy?
For decades, Saudi Arabia has been a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy in the Gulf, hosting American military bases and relying heavily on U.S. weapons and technology. However, this dependency creates an imbalance of power, as Washington ultimately controls Riyadh’s military procurement and leverages its defense ties to apply political pressure whenever needed.
In 2022, relations between Washington and Riyadh hit a low when Saudi Arabia, through OPEC+, decided to cut oil production, an act the Biden administration perceived as directly against U.S. interests. This move was followed by intensified American criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, raising concerns in Riyadh about the long-term reliability of the U.S.-Saudi defense alliance.
Political analyst David Hearst describes this dynamic succinctly:
“Saudi Arabia spends billions on U.S. arms deals, yet remains unable to make independent defense decisions without Washington’s approval. This places the kingdom in a position of subordination, rather than true strategic partnership.”
Weapons Deals: National Security or Fueling the U.S. Military-Industrial Complex?
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest buyer of U.S. weapons, yet it continues to depend on American military presence for its protection. Over the past decade, the kingdom has signed arms deals worth hundreds of billions of dollars, acquiring F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, Patriot missile defense systems, armored vehicles, and various advanced weaponry.
Despite this massive investment, Saudi Arabia still lacks a fully independent defense strategy, relying on U.S. security guarantees and direct military intervention whenever regional threats arise. This raises concerns about whether these weapons purchases truly enhance Saudi Arabia’s national security or simply serve as a financial boon for the U.S. defense industry.
The Iranian Threat: Is Saudi Arabia Trapped in a Security Dilemma?
One of the key issues discussed between the Saudi and U.S. defense ministers was the growing Iranian threat, particularly with:
- Escalations in the Red Sea.
- Israeli airstrikes on Syria.
- Continued tensions in Iraq and Yemen.
For decades, Washington has used the Iranian threat to justify its military presence in the Gulf, while simultaneously pressuring Saudi Arabia to maintain close defense ties. Riyadh has recently taken diplomatic steps to de-escalate tensions with Tehran, facilitated by China, but remains dependent on the U.S. for security guarantees, which have yet to be explicitly provided.
U.S.-Saudi Relations: A Conditional Partnership Based on Human Rights?
Since Joe Biden took office, human rights have become a bargaining chip in Washington’s dealings with Riyadh. While the U.S. continues to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia, it simultaneously criticizes Mohammed bin Salman for:
- The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- The imprisonment of activists and dissidents.
- Suppression of political opposition.
This inconsistent stance exposes Washington’s double standards—using human rights as leverage while maintaining lucrative arms deals that ultimately serve American geopolitical and economic interests.
A Fragile Alliance with Conflicting Interests
Despite the diplomatic rhetoric affirming the strength of U.S.-Saudi defense ties, the reality paints a different picture. Riyadh remains:
- Dependent on U.S. security guarantees.
- Vulnerable to American political influence.
- Unable to establish an independent military doctrine.
While Saudi Arabia has attempted to diversify its defense partnerships, it has not yet developed the capability to secure itself without U.S. backing.
Is Saudi Arabia Just a Customer for U.S. Weapons?
Saudi leadership continues to present these high-level defense meetings as a sign of its strong strategic alliance with Washington. However, the deeper issue remains:
Will Saudi Arabia always be just a major U.S. arms client, or can it break free from dependency and build true military independence?
