Saudi-US military ties continue despite rights reset

Eight months into his presidency, Joe Biden appears inclined to maintain the old alliance with Saudi Arabia.

During the US election campaign, Joe Biden distanced himself from the course of then-President Donald Trump who practiced close ranks with the Saudi royal family – and concluded arms deals worth billions without strengthening humanitarian intentions in the kingdom.

Biden also stated outright that he had no desire to fraternise with “autocrats and dictators”. American values ​​cannot be sold for oil and weapons, he claimed.

Once in office, Biden seemed to stay true to this line. He kept his distance from the Saudis and adopted the new tone from the campaign trail.