World · 23 November 2025
US boosts Saudi power, Israel worries about deal
_(cropped).jpg/960px-President_Donald_Trump_with_Saudi_Crown_Prince_Mohammed_Bin_Salman_(2025)_(cropped).jpg)
White House via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
President Trump's lavish White House reception for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivered significant military and diplomatic gains for Saudi Arabia without requiring Israeli normalization. Trump confirmed F-35 fighter jet sales and designated Saudi Arabia a Major Non-NATO Ally, abandoning previous US conditions that linked defense deals to Israeli recognition. This strategic shift strengthens Saudi regional power while potentially eroding Israel's qualitative military edge, leaving Israeli officials concerned about their diminished leverage in Middle East diplomacy.
Reported by CNN · How we write briefs