How much does Saudi Arabia really rely on the US?
Donald Trump claims King Salman would ‘not last two weeks’ without American military support

Donald Trump has laid bare the Middle East’s primary power dynamic, claiming that Saudi Arabia and its King would not last “two weeks” in power without American military support.
Addressing a campaign rally in Mississippi, Trump appeared to call on rich allies to pay more for their own defence.
“And how about our military deals where we protect rich nations that we don't get reimbursed. How about that stuff? That's changing too folks,” he said. “We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they're rich? And I love the King... King Salman but I said ‘King, we're protecting you. You might not be there for two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military.’”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The US-Saudi alliance is one of the most enduring diplomatic relationships in the world.
Forged during the Second World War, what is effectively an oil-for-arms arrangement has maintained the balance of power in the Middle East for decades.
“In addition to Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves and role as the spiritual anchor of the Sunni Muslim world, the long intelligence relationship helps explain why the United States has been reluctant to openly criticize Saudi Arabia for its human rights abuses, its treatment of women and its support for the extreme strain of Islam, Wahhabism, that has inspired many of the very terrorist groups the United States is fighting,” wrote Mark Mazzetti in The New York Times in 2016. He argued that the alliance is kept afloat “on a sea of Saudi money and a recognition of mutual self-interest”.
The 2015 Iran nuclear deal marked the nadir in relations, but since Trump has come to power, ties between the Gulf kingdom and Washington have strengthened, especially after the administration announced it was withdrawing from the agreement. The White House has also defended Saudi involvement in Yemen, despite repeated criticism from the United Nations and international rights groups.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
During his first official overseas trip as president, Trump signed a nearly $110bn defence deal with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It was part of a much larger $350bn package of economic and defence investments between the two countries over the next ten years “which signaled a renewed US commitment to its alliance with Saudi Arabia”, says CNN.
Following a 2017 summit in Riyadh, both countries also agreed to increase cooperation on maritime security, military preparedness, arms transfers and cyber security.
Yet Trump’s bellicose comments belie a more complicated relationship, and his warning to the Kingdom to increase its defence spending or face an uncertain future can be seen as “an effort to pile on one of America’s closest allies over the rising cost of oil”, says The Independent.
With crude prices at a four-year-high and with midterm elections looming, Trump has repeatedly sought to pressure the Saudi-led Opec oil cartel into upping production.
But, in a sign of how intertwined both countries have become economically, Saudi Arabia has sought to “strike a balance between maximising revenue and keeping a lid on prices until US congressional elections”, says CNBC.
The news network says the Kingdom “still wants to keep oil prices as high as possible without offending Washington”, as it needs cash to finance a series of economic development projects.
-
5 artfully drawn cartoons about Donald Trump's Epstein doodle
Cartoons Artists take on a mountainous legacy, creepy art, and more
-
Violent videos of Charlie Kirk’s death are renewing debate over online censorship
Talking Points Social media ‘promises unfiltered access, but without guarantees of truth and without protection from harm’
-
What led to Poland invoking NATO’s Article 4 and where could it lead?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION After a Russian drone blitz, Warsaw’s rare move to invoke the important NATO statute has potentially moved Europe closer to continent-wide warfare
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Trump threatens critics with federal charges
Feature Days after FBI agents raided John Bolton's home, Trump threatened legal action against Chris Christie