The US designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally (MNNA) marks a decisive recalibration of Washington’s Middle East strategy, signalling a renewed embrace of Riyadh after years of tension following the Khashoggi murder. While the upgrade institutionalises deeper defence cooperation, it also raises questions about the strategic trade-offs the United States is willing to make in pursuit of geopolitical advantage, particularly at a time when great-power competition with China and Russia has sharpened.
The announcement coincided with a raft of multibillion-dollar agreements, including a prospective sale of F-35 stealth fighters, underscoring that defence-industrial interests continue to shape US–Saudi relations. The scale of Saudi investment pledges, aspiring to reach $1 trillion, further illustrates the economic incentives underpinning this rapprochement. However, the absence of clear timelines or mechanisms for ensuring these investments materialise suggests Riyadh may be leveraging symbolic commitments to secure strategic concessions.
The civil nuclear cooperation deal, framed explicitly as a “peaceful” initiative, reflects US efforts to maintain influence over the Kingdom’s energy diversification. Yet it simultaneously raises concerns about long-term proliferation risks in a region prone to security rivalries.
The broader suite of agreements, from energy deals to rare-earths partnerships, highlights Washington’s intent to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains. Nevertheless, granting MNNA status to a state with a mixed human-rights record and an increasingly assertive foreign policy invites criticism that US values are being subordinated to short-term strategic and commercial gains.
Ultimately, while the designation strengthens bilateral ties, it also intensifies debates about the future of US policy in the Middle East and the balance between security imperatives and normative commitments.
