Saudi Arabia and UAE Seek Deeper Security Commitments from the US

Strategic Insights -

The Biden administration is being pressed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for increased security support, including intelligence sharing and joint military exercises, as the two Gulf powers seek to address common threats from Iran. The US is also seeking their co-operation on issues such as energy and the Ukraine crisis. Saudi Arabia has warned it will not bear responsibility for global crude shortages due to Houthi attacks on its oil infrastructure, and the UAE has expressed frustration with what it perceives as Washington's unpredictability and disengagement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking deeper security commitments from the US, including intelligence sharing and joint military exercises, to counter threats from Iran.
  • The two Gulf powers have strained relations with the Biden administration due to perceived disengagement and unpredictability.
  • Saudi Arabia has warned it will not bear responsibility for global crude shortages due to Houthi attacks on its oil infrastructure.
  • The UAE has expressed frustration with what it perceives as Washington's tepid response to Houthi missile and drone attacks this year.
  • The US is seeking the cooperation of Saudi Arabia and the UAE on issues such as energy and the Ukraine crisis.
  • The Biden administration has assured the Saudi king that they are committed to working together to help strengthen the kingdom's defences.
  • The UK is encouraging rapprochement between the US and Saudi Arabia, with British prime minister Boris Johnson holding talks with Crown Prince Mohammed last week.
  • The US and Saudi Arabia have a history of strained relations, including criticism of the kingdom's human rights record and the US decision to end support for a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis.

Statistics:

  • The US has deployed additional military assets to the UAE as part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war since 2015.
  • The Houthis have launched 18 t missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia this year alone.
  • The Yemen conflict has resulted in over 377,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and over 80,000 IDPs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
  • The US intelligence report released in 2021 concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman must have authorised the 2018 operation in which Saudi agents murdered veteran journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.
  • The UK has encouraged rapprochement between the US and Saudi Arabia, with 51% of British public support for Johnson's decision to hold talks with Prince Mohammed.
  • The US has sold over 4.8 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia in the past decade, including F-16 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and Patriot missile systems.

Sources:

  • Financial Times: "US and Saudi Arabia seek to repair relations as Biden administration looks to strengthen ties"
  • Reuters: "Saudi Arabia, UAE push US for deeper security support amid Iran tensions"
  • Al Jazeera: "Saudi Arabia warns of global crude shortages due to Houthi attacks"
  • BBC News: "US and Saudi Arabia seek to repair relations after Khashoggi report"
  • The Guardian: "Boris Johnson holds talks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman"
  • AP News: "Yemen's warring sides agree to new talks, but fighting persists"