Saudi-U.S. defense pact decoupled from normalization (Plan B)note

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) is considering a defense pact with the U.S. decoupled from normalizing ties with Israel.

MBS met on 29/4/2024 with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh.

The discussions between the Crown Prince and Blinken suggest that the U.S. is ready to finalize such an agreement before the presidential election.

The note provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. proposals concerning:

- The defense pact formulation

- Military cooperation concerning artificial intelligence and the F-35 fighter

- The Saudi civilian nuclear program

The note also reveals a Saudi request that was declined by the U.S.