Staff Reports
In the ever-evolving political landscape, one thing seems constant: the cozy relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Recently, this dynamics were thrust into the spotlight as the Saudi Crown Prince made his grand return to the White House. The president and the crown prince, with their priorities lined up neatly like dominos, spent the day discussing economic ties and military capabilities. From the outside, it appears that this partnership is growing as strong as a freshly brewed cup of American coffee.
Since the Crown Prince’s last official visit to the U.S. in 2018, many things have changed, except for his ability to make headlines wherever he goes. The prince certainly knows how to put on a show, starting by announcing plans to increase Saudi investment in the U.S. from a modest $600 billion to a whopping trillion dollars. One can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from American companies, eagerly awaiting their slice of the proverbial pie.
The future sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia was also on the menu, with the White House giving the green light to this lucrative deal. It’s all part of the grand symphony of defense deals that underscores the U.S. commitment to being the world’s weapons dealer of choice. While some critics fret about security risks and the sharing of sensitive technology, proponents aren’t losing sleep over it. After all, who could resist the allure of selling state-of-the-art equipment while boosting the economy and further tightening the grip of U.S. influence?
Nonetheless, not everything about this visit was rosy. Critics couldn’t resist the temptation to bring up past controversies involving the crown prince, ranging from 9/11 connections to the still-raw murder of a journalist in 2018. Though the prince deflected these topics with the deftness of a seasoned politician, it didn’t stop detractors from raising eyebrows. Clearly, some people have trouble understanding that bygones really should be bygones.
Despite these murmurings, the White House remains an eager host, prepared to roll out the red carpet and roll past any awkward conversations. In the end, the visit will likely be remembered less for its controversies and more for its promise of continued economic ‘partnerships.’ After all, what’s a little controversy when there’s money to be made and markets to be conquered? In this dance of diplomacy, it seems some things, such as profits and alliances, are indeed thicker than water.
