"Biden Administration and Saudi Arabia Consider Defense Treaty, But at What Cost?"

The United States and Saudi Arabia are in discussions to establish a mutual defense treaty similar to those with Japan and South Korea, as part of President Biden's efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The treaty would involve military support in the event of an attack in the region or on Saudi territory. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees the defense agreement as crucial in his talks with the Biden administration, while Saudi officials believe it would help deter potential assaults by Iran. However, such a treaty would face strong objections in Congress, and it raises questions about the U.S. becoming more militarily entwined in the Middle East and contradicting its goal of reorienting military resources towards deterring China in the Asia-Pacific region.