President Donald Trump has announced his intention to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant policy shift. This decision comes as Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a day of diplomacy, with the potential sale of up to 48 F-35 fighters on the table. The deal, estimated to be worth billions, has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle. Saudi Arabia has long sought the F-35, a stealth fighter with advanced technology, to modernize its air force and counter regional threats, particularly from Iran. This move could alter the military balance in the Middle East and test Washington's commitment to maintaining Israel's 'qualitative military edge'. The F-35 issue has been intertwined with broader diplomatic efforts, including previous discussions of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, the sale faces scrutiny from Congress, especially after the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Biden administration had previously explored a similar deal, but it ultimately stalled. This announcement raises questions about the future of US-Saudi relations and the potential impact on regional security.
