Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

In retaliation, US considers slow-rolling military aid to Saudi Arabia

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Oct 2022 10:19
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The possible decision to draw back on weapon shipments may place American troops and citizens in Saudi Arabia at risk.

  • x
  • US President Joe Biden (Forbes)
    US President Joe Biden (Forbes)

Considering the recent OPEC decision to cut oil production, influenced by Saudi Arabia, US President Joe Biden is contemplating drawing back on shipping military aid to the Kingdom that include advanced weaponry, such as Patriot missiles, as punishment. 

According to two US officials and a source familiar with the talks that Biden underwent, some military officials support the idea of rolling back on weapon shipments, however, some also want reassurance that the military relationship between both countries is not affected by it. 

"There needs to be a balance between punishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and not making life more difficult or dangerous for the U.S.,” one US official said.

The Kingdom is under a contract for 300 Patriot 104-E guided ballistic missiles (GEM-T) - weapons used against the people of Yemen as Saudi Arabia continues to commit war and human rights crimes against the Yemenis. 

There is fear, however, that the cutback on weapons will eventually affect American civilians and troops in the Kingdom while simultaneously putting both regional defense and security relationships at stake. The sources said nothing has been officialized yet and no further announcements are expected to be released anytime soon. But the upcoming OPEC meeting in December is mentioned as an inflection point, adding that if the Kingdom increases production after the meeting, then the US will back off of any possible retaliatory actions. 

Read more: US executives flocking to Saudi Davos despite US-Saudi tension: NYT

Excluding Saudi Arabia from future military exercises, events, and regional meetings are a possibility as well, considering the military cooperation in the region on integrated air and missile defense systems that provide coordinated warning and response. But the sources reiterated that the Kingdom is still expected to participate in an upcoming exercise and regional engagements over the next few weeks.

Related News

OPEC+ eyes full return of 2.2 million barrels amid compliance rift

OPEC+ to boost oil output again amid market weakness, internal rift

A National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement, “This is not an accurate list of steps under consideration.”

The idea-in-the-works comes after the 13-nation OPEC+ and its 10 allies infuriated the White House by resolving to cut output by two million barrels per day beginning in November, fueling fears that oil prices may spike.

Officials relayed that changing US troop presence in the Kingdom is currently not on the table, but it is being discussed following the OPEC cut, including considering how many troops are in Saudi Arabia, what they do, and what the cost to have them there is. 

The White House consulted with Congress prior to Biden’s July trip to Saudi Arabia, but Congress has not been consulted yet regarding the recent OPEC cut. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken considered on October 20 that Saudi Arabia did not behave like a US ally when it sided with the need to cut the OPEC+ oil production but indicated the two countries still have many common interests.

"In this instance, it's not. But we have a multiplicity of interests with Saudi Arabia," Blinken told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos when asked whether Riyadh's decision to support the oil cuts amounts to "the actions of an ally." According to the top US diplomat, Washington is trying to restore economic growth, which makes it "the wrong time to engage in production cuts."

It is noteworthy that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on October 16 that Biden had "no plans" to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on the sidelines of the G20 summit coming up next month in Indonesia.

In the same context, the head organizer of the Saudi investment conference, Davos in the Desert, pointed out on October 17 that "no invitations will be sent to US government officials to attend the conference, which will be held at the end of October," adding that it is to prevent the gathering from becoming a "political platform".

Read next: Oil deal or no deal? A Saudi slap in the US face: NYT

  • OPEC
  • US
  • Mohammad Bin Salman
  • Oil
  • Joe Biden
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS