US-Saudi security discussions exclude Israel, according to Axios
Washington and Riyadh are said to be in talks regarding a possible agreement that is distinct from Israel's major deal. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A report from Axios indicates that a potential security agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia would not include West Jerusalem. According to sources, this agreement would be distinct from a planned “mega-deal” involving Israel.
Sources revealed that Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban was at the White House last week, meeting with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Biden advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein. The discussions were said to revolve around enhancing bilateral relations, with aims to finalize a package of security, technology, and economic agreements before President Joe Biden's term concludes in January.
One source emphasized that the security agreement under discussion would be separate from the United States' efforts to progress toward a “mega-deal” aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the Biden administration was actively working on this mega-deal, which also included an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation. The White House believed that incorporating the nuclear deal within a broader agreement could increase the likelihood of ratification by the US Senate, as noted in the Axios report.
Furthermore, the article highlighted that Biden's initiative to establish a security accord with Riyadh is also aimed at reinforcing the US presence in the Gulf amid escalating Chinese and Russian influence in the area.
As part of these strategic efforts, Biden officially designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally in March 2022, enhancing the relationship with Doha. In September 2023, the US and Bahrain finalized a Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, and in 2024, the UAE was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the Biden administration.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Sources revealed that Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban was at the White House last week, meeting with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Biden advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein. The discussions were said to revolve around enhancing bilateral relations, with aims to finalize a package of security, technology, and economic agreements before President Joe Biden's term concludes in January.
One source emphasized that the security agreement under discussion would be separate from the United States' efforts to progress toward a “mega-deal” aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the Biden administration was actively working on this mega-deal, which also included an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation. The White House believed that incorporating the nuclear deal within a broader agreement could increase the likelihood of ratification by the US Senate, as noted in the Axios report.
Furthermore, the article highlighted that Biden's initiative to establish a security accord with Riyadh is also aimed at reinforcing the US presence in the Gulf amid escalating Chinese and Russian influence in the area.
As part of these strategic efforts, Biden officially designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally in March 2022, enhancing the relationship with Doha. In September 2023, the US and Bahrain finalized a Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, and in 2024, the UAE was designated as a Major Defense Partner by the Biden administration.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
