Biden Lifts Ban on Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has lifted a ban on selling offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia and increased military aid to Israel, marking a notable week for the defense industry. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. will sell $750 million worth of bombs to Saudi Arabia, reversing a 2021 decision aimed at curbing support for the kingdom's military operations in Yemen. Additionally, the administration has released $3.5 billion in taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel, including a previously frozen munition shipment. Despite earlier commitments to end support for offensive operations in Yemen, the Biden administration has maneuvered around legal restrictions to facilitate military assistance to Israel. This includes funding to replenish U.S. military stockpiles sent to Israel and direct financial grants. Recent Israeli military actions, including airstrikes that reportedly killed militants and civilians, have raised concerns about the implications of this increased support. The lifting of the arms embargo on Saudi Arabia comes after the State Department acknowledged improvements in the kingdom's civilian harm mitigation processes. Analysts suggest that this decision is also a strategic move to strengthen U.S.-Saudi relations amid regional security challenges, including threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces. The administration's actions reflect a complex balancing act between human rights concerns and geopolitical interests in the Middle East.