US Resumes Sale of Weapons to Saudi Arabia

The United States has announced the resumption of offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in policy as concerns over human rights in the Yemen conflict recede. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Saudi partnership, stating that the Saudis have upheld their commitments under a UN-brokered truce established in early 2022, which has largely halted hostilities in Yemen. This decision comes as the U.S. seeks to leverage Saudi Arabia's influence in addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Initially, President Joe Biden's administration had suspended offensive arms sales to Saudi Arabia due to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Saudi-led military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Thousands of civilians, including children, were reported killed in airstrikes. However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted, with the U.S. and its allies, including Britain and Israel, now targeting Houthi positions while Saudi Arabia has taken a more passive role. Despite the resumption of arms sales, concerns about Saudi Arabia's human rights record persist. Representative Joaquin Castro, a member of Biden's Democratic Party, expressed skepticism about the kingdom's commitment to improving its conduct. The U.S. will now evaluate arms transfers on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on ensuring that Saudi Arabia continues to implement measures to mitigate civilian harm. The decision to lift the arms sales freeze reflects a broader strategy to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab states, particularly in light of their growing alignment with Israel against shared adversaries like Iran.