"Cardin's Panel Chairmanship: Tracking Menendez's Stance on Saudi Pact and Turkey's F-16s"
Senator Ben Cardin, the new chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, could potentially hinder Saudi Arabia's efforts to strike a defense pact with the U.S. and Turkey's bid to procure F-16 fighter jets. Cardin emphasized that he will prioritize human rights concerns when approving arms sales to other countries. He also expressed the need for accountability in Saudi Arabia, citing the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Cardin's position as chairman will also give him influence over whether to advance any security treaty with Saudi Arabia requiring Senate ratification. Additionally, he will need to make a decision on whether to hold $235 million in Egypt military aid following the indictment of former chairman Bob Menendez.
