The decision to resume weapons sales to Saudi Arabia is reportedly driven by several factors. Firstly, the U.S. views Saudi Arabia as a crucial ally in the Middle East, particularly against Iranian influence in the region. Selling weapons to Saudi Arabia is seen by some as a means to strengthen the country’s ability to deter and defend against threats from Iran and its proxies.
Secondly, the decision may also be influenced by economic considerations. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest arms exporters, and arms sales to countries such as Saudi Arabia can be lucrative deals for American arms manufacturers.
However, this decision has not been without controversy. Critics argue that the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia could exacerbate the conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition in a war against the Houthi rebels since 2015. Human rights organizations have accused Saudi Arabia of committing war crimes in Yemen, and some fear that U.S. weapons could be used in such crimes.
The U.S. government has tried to mitigate these concerns by putting strict conditions on the arms sales, including measures to ensure that the weapons are not used in the conflict in Yemen. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be effective in preventing potential misuse of the weapons.
