Trump Readies F-35 Sale as Saudi Prince Visits D.C.

President Donald Trump is set to extend a red-carpet welcome to Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Washington on Tuesday. This high-profile diplomatic engagement is widely anticipated to culminate in the significant sale of advanced U.S. F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf kingdom, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.

The crown prince’s arrival in the U.S. capital represents his initial visit to the White House since the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi monarchy and a journalist for The Washington Post. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) later concluded that Khashoggi’s murder was sanctioned by the crown prince, drawing widespread international condemnation.

High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit

Despite the lingering controversy, President Trump has actively worked to mend and strengthen the relationship between the two nations. The current visit is expected to yield multi-billion dollar agreements with the 40-year-old prince, who has assumed a more prominent role as his 89-year-old father, King Salman, has increasingly withdrawn from public life. The U.S. and Saudi leaders are scheduled to hold extensive discussions, concluding the day with an official White House dinner hosted by First Lady Melania Trump.

Speaking ahead of the visit, President Trump underscored the importance of the alliance. “They have been a great ally,” he stated, confirming that Washington intended to sell F-35 stealth fighters during the trip. These highly sophisticated aircraft are primarily manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin and carry a price tag ranging from approximately $80 million (£60 million) to $110 million each. A senior White House official, speaking to Reuters on Monday, emphasized the economic benefits, noting, “The Saudis will be spending a lot of money tomorrow on the US.”

Khashoggi Shadow Looms

The timing and nature of the visit have stirred deep emotions, particularly for those affected by the Khashoggi tragedy. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the journalist’s widow, conveyed her profound distress to CNN, describing the news of the trip as “very painful.” She revealed that she had personally appealed to President Trump in writing, seeking his assistance in securing a financial settlement from Prince Mohammed. “I hope they look at the American values of human rights and [democracy] besides any economic ties and selling weapons,” she urged, adding, “There is something missing,” which she defined as “looking for real justice.” To date, Khashoggi’s dismembered remains have not been recovered, and Saudi authorities continue to deny any high-level involvement in his killing.

Strategic Shift in Regional Arms Sales

The proposed sale of the F-35 jets holds considerable geopolitical significance. If finalized, it would mark the first instance of these advanced fighter aircraft being delivered to a Middle Eastern nation other than Israel. For decades, the United States has maintained a policy of exclusively supplying Israel with its most cutting-edge weaponry, a strategic commitment aimed at preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. This potential deal, therefore, signals a notable shift in Washington’s approach to arms sales in the Middle East, balancing economic interests and strategic partnerships against long-standing regional security dynamics and human rights concerns.

Source: The Guardian