The public sentiment regarding US-Saudi Arabia relations is largely skeptical and critical, citing serious concerns over human rights abuses and ethical implications of military sales to Saudi Arabia. While there are some expressions of cautious optimism regarding potential economic benefits and the necessity of cooperation against Iranian influence, many commenters denounce the moral integrity of these ties, particularly concerning the treatment of Palestine and criticism of Saudi governance. Overall, there is significant ambivalence and disappointment about how the alliance may impact humanitarian considerations and regional stability.

United States

Saudi Arabia


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The most shocking thing about President Donald Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Tuesday was that anyone was shocked by it.

The main headline coming out of the two leaders’ combative session with reporters was Trump’s blasé dismissal of a question about the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which was arguably the biggest challenge to US-Saudi relations since the 9/11 attacks, and which US intelligence reports have concluded the crown prince personally ordered.

“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that,” [Trump said](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/saudi-crown-prince-marks-return-us-after-7/story?id=127594469).

But Trump had made similar remarks to these just weeks after Khashoggi’s death in 2018, [issuing an official ](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-standing-saudi-arabia/)statement that referenced Saudi accusations that Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and concluding: “It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!”

It’s hard to imagine any other president talking about a foreign state’s murder of a journalist and US resident this way, not to mention dismissing the conclusions of his own country’s intelligence agencies this way. Nor has any other president had the kind of personal business ties to the Kingdom while in office that [Trump and his family enjoy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/world/middleeast/trump-family-business-saudi-arabia.html). But Trump is hardly the first president in the 80-year history of relations between the world’s most powerful democracy and its most powerful absolute monarchy to conclude that the relationship is too important to let human rights get in the way.

You could acknowledge geopolitical realities WHILE ALSO condemning the murder of an innocent journalist at the hand of the Saudi ruler. You could also not invite said murdering dictator for State dinners. 

Or you could voxplain why actually it's just pragmatism to pal around with a guy who chopped up a journalist. Very serious journalism as always, guys. Ezra Klein would be proud.

ThonThaddeo

I wonder who bought the 22 million dollar gold toilet that was auctioned off. I can think of 2 people.

rom_rom57

As long as the murderous butcher keeps paying off, bribing AND telling Trump how great he is trump will continue to give them everything the terrorist wants

CAM6913

It’s the kind of relationship the GOP loves. The inappropriate kind.

CardiologistOdd3203

Mainly because democrats are giant fucking hypocrites and criticize trump while letting Biden get away with being friendly with them. Maybe if us democrats actually followed through on our supposed principles, this would be a different country. 

Bakedads

China is courting Saudi Arabia and the Saudis are playing this tug of war between America and Saudi Arabia for maximum gain. 

America needs the Saudis though because without them US friendly countries control less than 50% of the world's oil supply. And, that means that the push to purchase oil in currencies that are not the USD could be successful and that would be yet another blow to America's purchasing power.

Purify5

Vox, you're still trying to do your thing? Nobody wants this kind of analysis in U.S. politics anymore. Read. The. Room.

MatthewUnplugged

Good seeing relations built with all of these countries in the Middle East. 

Wasn't that long ago people thought it could never happen.

EnergyOwn6800

With that pos MBS aside (we all know he did it), the reporter bringing up Epstein just made all of us look like raging idiots. 

His first visit to the White House in 7 years and they thought it was a great opportunity to ask Trump about Epstein, for the 7 billionth time.

lynxintheloopx

rayinho121212

Did you know that during yum kipur war usa forced israel to cease fire and prevnted israel from destryoing the the besieged egyptian army? Not only they forced  israel to stop they also demanded israel to send aid and food to the besieged egyptian army.


Why did they do it? They wanted to take out egypt from the soviet camp and bring them to the american one .


And they actually succeeded... after the peacy treaty with israel the americans started to send 1.8billion dollars aid each year and untill this day and sold egypt the latest americans tanks and war planes  


So is egypt was the new israel?


No not at all, because israel never controld usa and america didnt finance europe.


America first was always the policy since ww2 , why do you think usa is so rich ? They worked hard for this soft power but they did it in a smart and gentle way not in the dumb way trump is doing which only destryoing the soft power of america in the long run

Alone_Test_2711

Personally, I think the concern about the F-35s is largely baseless.

The Saudis won't attack Israel first, they know that as soon as they'll do that all the necessary American maintenance and support for the planes will disappear, and they know that Israel won't shy away from hitting them back, and its incredibly unlikely they'll ever interfere with Israeli operations unless they directly harm the Saudis or one of the other gulf states.

johnnyfat

Saudi Arabia IS going through some changes, those include recent political influence (recognizing Palestine as a state and influencing Trump for F35 purchases). It's too hard to tell where it'll lead (from my less knowledgeable view of Saudi's family)

Shachar2like

I think the risk here is overplayed. First off, it’s irrelevant until they are actually delivered. I don’t think that will happen for a couple of years at least, and it will depend on SA joining the Abraham accords, putting pressure on Palestinians and other Arab countries to join, and other concessions we are not privy too. They will pay a very high price for it which will cement Israeli Arab peace. 

Also, there’s good reason to believe that radar satellites can track f35s. Stealthing an aircraft is a trade off between directions, wavelengths, etc. and the f35 is optimized against ground based radar from the front. So the US (which almost certainly has the radar satellites to track these planes) will always hold the upper hand, and be able to share this upper hand with whatever countries it wants in an immediately revocable way. Israel probably also has these radar satellites (albeit less of them so less coverage). 

Trump is doing a great job of aligning US, Israeli, and Arab interests. So it’s not as much abandoning Israel as it is adding more friends to the group. 

I personally believe that the deal has already been made for SA to join the accords and they’re waiting for Oct 2026 to give trump a bump for the midterm. Coincidentally, Israel’s election is at around the same time.

Low-Razzmatazz9433

https://preview.redd.it/mixj2qviqc2g1.jpeg?width=750&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=b627c60a97e8a358f9f384a2401543e4a711ba74

Just saw random YouTube video but wow look Saudi Arabia is number 7 on list of countries with largest defense budget above Ukraine.

With this in mind yeah I think it does make sense USA would want a big defense deal with Saudi Arabia as a defense manufacturer

AstronautSouthern344

What you see on the news is never the whole story in the Middle East, but Saudi Arabia is not replacing Israel. I wouldn't be surprised if Netanyahu approved this deal with the goal to push for normalization, and help fight the Iranian axis.

ZachorMizrahi

I'm not a fan of Trump but I'm sure he can spot a bad investment. And continuing this relationship with with Israel is a terrible investment. I'm certain he can also tell when he's being played and led along, which is something Netanyahu has made no secret of doing. Previous presidents likely felt the exact same way although not to this degree. 

Even if it requires abandoning the Abraham accords, allying with the larger, stronger, (currently) peaceful, and more popular country is not a hard choice to make for a supposed 'America first' president.

Imperative_Arts

lol Israel is getting left behind by the global community, and they don’t realize or understand it.

MrBoobieBuyerr

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I don’t know why but as cracked as the concept of “the U.S. state of Arabia” is, it was the sight of “Japanese Oman” that broke me.

AntonymousBosch

Enormous_Matter

https://preview.redd.it/xbh5qf3d5pbe1.jpeg?width=450&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=9bd41d0b90e3a5a7e4d6627c0baca9f9cd199021

HarryLewisPot

Osama Bin Laden would be even more radical

Vietnationalist

So we got the texasfecta, Texas Texas, Canadian Texas, and Sandy Texas. Beautiful

Swiftmaster56

Does 9/11 still happen in this timeline? How would the Binladen family be affected by this

Blockedinhere1960

Pro solved Israel, respect............................................................なんとオマーンで事件が起きた!!!!!!!

Throwawayforsaftyy

That would be a lot of oil production for the United States.

BrianRLackey1987

What the fuck is happening in this map 😭

Dramatic-Fennel5568

It would have more electoral college votes than Texas if it was actually a state

No_Shine_7585

Why is Hejaz, and most of Saudi Arabia pro Trump? I understand the social conservative part, but Trump wouldn't  have such strong support for Christianity in this timeline, right?

Commercial-Diet-7158

For an US state the county's borders are too natural IMHO, but I like that you changed the other state flags.

AroGerhardson

Arabs when they get their pseudo Palestine at the cost of the U.S *actually* conquering land in the Middle East

Afraid_Theorist

TexanFox1836

Should I expand more of this timeline/universe?

OkPercentage3520

Iboss1990

[deleted]

AnswerCute3963

Happy-Pen-2305

It would have probably voted for Jill Stein, guess depending on what's happening in the levant

WhimsyDiamsy

Traditional_Isopod80

HealthyRevenue3233

My first initial thought after reading the title is oil.

NeoAmbitions

I fucking love just putting "for some reason" in the title. Shine on.

Ambisinister11

MrSetbXD

Levantine Republican has the same flag at St. Vincent and The Grenadines without the gems

2localboi

It’s 3am so my review won’t be that extravagant but: creative and stupid idea, love it. Pretty good map, great!

8/10 

-thyme review #12

yozo-marionica

The CONPLETLY EMPTY desert voted for harris in large numbers???

swbaert6

no matter how pro-queer the democrats are, it would flip blue just from palestine and trump being trump

Vhermithrax

That would probably be terrifying for Iraq 💀

Catkeens-Insanity

Bro thought he could decieve us from seeing the Japanese Oman by making Saudi Arabia into an US State

Spectral___0

Alpenkraftens

PLPolandPL15719

I heard Dick Cheney's boner crashing through the roof

crimsonfukr457

f4irylara

f15mv

M084MM3D

saudi arabia government supports usa blindly without considering their own benefit, they dont have to become a us state they are doing more than they asked from them

wiseoldman444

N444BYL

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If you have to ask if it crosses a line, assume it crosses a line. Please see our guidelines for [discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskConservatives/comments/17ygktl/antisemitism_askconservative_and_you/) for more information.


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revengeappendage

our relationship with ausdi Arabia is a stain on our nation and we will regret having squandered part of our moral superiority forever by associating with a strong contender for the worst culture in world history.


we should be enemies of theirs and all they stand for 

I don’t like the Saudi government as it is a benefactor of terrorism and a very unethical extremist theocratic regime. 

I feel like this is an “enemy of my enemy” type of situation as working with Saudi Arabia is a necessary evil to counter Iranian influence.

&gt; What are your thoughts on the US’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

Our relationship with KSA and OPEC helped stabilize the dollar after Bretton-Woods collapsed and helped recemented the USDs position as the world reserve currency. This relationship is extremely beneficial all around to be honest.

&gt; I know the biggest fears with conservatives today outside of wokeism is Islam subverting democracy and implementing Sharia Law in the West, 

These are Conservatives “biggest fears”? 

Huh. I mean, yes, the implementation of Sharia Law is an issue - particularly where such laws conflict with established legal statutes - but this certainly isn’t one of my “biggest fears”. Also, I think the constant virtue signaling on both sides (woke/anti-woke) is tiresome nonsense. Distraction. 

&gt; and the “military industrial complex” ignoring American public opinion to engage in forever wars. 

I’m more concerned with the MIC jingoistically shaping public opinions in support *of* forever wars. 

&gt; Saudi Arabia, ironically, has Sharia Laws implemented and is one of the largest purchasers of US arms. 

KSA is perfectly free to run their country as they see fit or so long as their population is content with it.

&gt; During late Obama and then Trump’s administration, these arms were used in the disastrous Yemen War which caused a massive famine starving over 100,000 Yemenis. 

Yep. Weapons get used for war. We’ll leave aside the broader moral implications of that.

&gt; Currently we have sold arms to both the Saudis and the UAEs who are backing opposite sides in the Sudanese Civil War. So we are quite literally funding both sides of this other disaster of a war. 

For a while we were selling military materials to Germany and France/England during World War I. There’s nothing new under the sun. 

&gt; So yeah, how do conservatives square the alliance Trump has fostered with Saudi Arabia with the disdain and distrust of conservative Islam? 

I don’t distrust Islam per se, or even “conservative” Islam necessarily. 

I’m more concerned about people who have been radicalized regardless of their ideological foundations.

willfiredog

Incredibly valuable.  We don't have to agree with a nation ideologically to understand they might bring stability to a turbulent part of the world.  These nations of the middle easy are also becoming more westernized all the time.  There needs to be a counter balance to Iran and the UAE, Saudi, among others including Israel are part of that plan.

After Israel, who else are you going to partner with in the middle east to keep things semi under control. Saudi's are closer to a rational state, than a revolutionary state like Iran.

Dr__Lube

We should exit relations with the House of Saud as soon as the situation with the regime in Iran is dealt with. Only until Iran becomes a democracy is when we can cut ties with Saudi Arabia.

scrubden

The Saudi Arabians hate us because we prop us their il-Liberal royal family.  
Our meddling throughout the middle-east is a key reason why 15 of them flew planes into the twin towers.

On the flip side, watching Wahhabism take over the Eurasian super-continent seems like a bad idea.

GuessNope

I'm not a fan of the Saudis, but they are the most effective check against Iranian influence in the region.   So worst case its still an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" situation.   

Even though the US doesn't significantly rely on middle eastern oil anymore, the region is still vital for the world economy.   Europe and China receive significant middle eastern oil imports to keep their economies running.   And a spike in oil prices there would still affect the price from US producers anyway.   

The UAE, they aren't a significant player in the oil market, nor a significant military power in the region.   They are basically helpful as a friendly port.  

As for the Sudanese war, frankly we don't have much interest there and our foreign policy reflects that.  We have other interests in common with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which is why they have our support.

As for Yemen, the fighting is still ongoing.  The Biden administration is still involved, and there's no reason to believe a Harris administration would alter course.

JoeCensored

No deals should be signed with Israel till they end their occupation, they should remain pariah state and be BDS'ed till then.

whater39

How does Abraham Accord benefits Indonesia and Pakistan which are miles away from Israel and the Middle East ?

BleuPrince

I do not think you understand that only interest of Muslim countries in "Abraham Accord" is resolving Palestinian problem. They basically do not need Israel for any else. So no solution - no accord.

vovap_vovap

THE AGENDA BEHIND THE ASSAULT: Why They Really Attacked TLP

It wasn't about a march. It was about silencing the last line of defense against a Qadiani-Zionist agenda to dismantle Pakistan's Islamic identity.

 1: The Official Story vs. The Brutal RealitY
 A WEB OF LIES TO JUSTIFY A MASSACRE
They will show you propaganda films and hold press conferences to justify their cruelty. They will call it a necessary "crackdown."

What Really Happened?
- A peaceful march for solidarity with Gaza was met with unprecedented, lethal force.
- Pakistan's third-largest political party was targeted, with reports of thousands martyred in cold blood.
- In a final act of desecration, the authorities are refusing to return the bodies of the martyrs to their families.

This was not a law-and-order operation; it was the first phase of a meticulously planned conspiracy.

2. The Unholy Alliance's Master Plan
THE THREE-PRONGED ATTACK ON ISLAM IN PAKISTAN

Don't be deceived. The brutal crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik is the critical first move in a much larger game, orchestrated by the Qadiani lobby and their Zionist masters. Here is their true agenda:
1. Paving the Way to Recognize Israel
The primary objective is to force Pakistan into recognizing the state of Israel. They know TLP stands as the most formidable obstacle to this treason. By crushing the movement, they aim to silence the nation's conscience and push through this unholy alliance without resistance.

2. CAPTURING THE PULPIT: Silencing the Voice of Truth
Their plan is to ban all mosques and madrasas where the true spirit of Islamic honor and dignity is taught. They seek to replace our courageous scholars with government-controlled "puppet imams" whose sole purpose is to deliver a state-approved, hollowed-out narrative during Friday sermons, thereby controlling the hearts and minds of the people.

3. DISMANTLING OUR SHIELD: The Attack on scared Laws , Within hours of the crackdown, began signaling its intentions regarding our sacred laws on the Finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwatﷺ) and the Sanctity of the Prophet (Namoos-e-Risalatﷺ). This is no coincidence. It is a clear signal from the Qadiani-Zionist nexus, with our government acting as their willing agent to weaken the very laws that are the foundation of our faith. Tehreek-e-Labbaik was the only major force standing in their way, which is why a ban is now on the table. You can now see where this conspiracy is coming from and who they are trying to please.

STAY AWAKE! CONNECT THE DOTS.
To ensure their betrayal is met with silence, they have imposed Section 144. This is the prelude to their ultimate goal: unlawfully banning Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. Make no mistake, this entire brutal operation is a calculated move to appease the Qadiani lobby. They are silencing the guardians of Prophethood to serve the enemies of Islam.
Do not believe their lies. See the connections. Defend our faith, defend our honor, and defend the sanctity of our beloved Prophet ﷺ.

Purple_Persimmon_220

I wanted to share a brief, factual overview

The Crane Party (T|L|P) has organized peaceful protests since Oct 2023 — including 13 Oct, 5 Nov, 21 Nov 2023, and July 2024 at Faizabad. These gatherings demanded humanitarian aid for G|a|z|a, boycotts of I|s|r|a|e|l|i products, and diplomatic pressure for peace.

After one such protest, Pakistan’s government officially declared Benj**** Netan**** a “t|e|r|r|o|r|i|s|t” and agreed to boycott companies supporting Israel. Yet, despite signed agreements, later demonstrations were met with arrests and live fire — even though official permissions existed.

Now, context matters: Pakistan has recently recognized Israel under the two-state policy, and the authorities no longer want any domestic events opposing |I|s|r|a|e|l. This shift has also opened the door for anti-religious legislation — something that only the Crane Party had historically resisted — potentially benefiting secular groups and the Qadiani/Mirzai/Ahmadi community, which is declared non-Muslim by nearly all Islamic nations.

Many around the world remain unaware because mainstream media provided no coverage. Online platforms also suppress content — if you search this party’s name or its leaders, social media often warns or deletes posts.
If anyone wants proof, I can share screenshots and video evidence.

Right now, another major operation is expected against this party — and whenever such action happens, Pakistan’s internet is usually shut down.

False claims linking the Crane Party to Afghanistan are baseless. The party follows the Barelvi Sunni school, while the T|a|l|i|b|a|n are Deobandi — two different ideologies.

When both global powers and local regimes control media, truth becomes the first casualty. What’s happening isn’t confusion — it’s suppression.

After what Smotrich said , the Saudis are probably out and maybe the others will follow them as well.

M007_MD

What about Abraham Accords with Palestine?

dek55

Today US representative Mike Walsh said to UN there is “historic opportunity for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and others across the region” as a result of degrading influence of Iran. 

He also has a call to address concerns with Iran and supports snapback sanctions. 

Does Lebanon, Syria and Iraq have chances of Abraham accords with Israel? I am not sure if he was speaking of a historic opportunity in other senses.

UN meeting 
https://youtu.be/9e3jJ9-ZuFo?si=Bto3cUGHfIC-11BF

My summary 
https://www.reddit.com/r/IsraelPalestine/s/T0xswRwe8o

Lebanon is probably the least likely of these but yes. Pakistan and Indonesia have been hinting strongly.

c9joe

Saudis leader of the "moderates" lol. The Saudis are more radical and hardline than the Iranians. 

DangerousCyclone

Saudi's interests in Israel are limited.  Saudi already has everything Israel could possibly contribute.  While the Saudis and Israel have always worked together in certain government sectors the last 5 years has brought scores of Israeli's from the private sector and Saudis have been testing those waters and its not going well.  Normalization may be important to Israel but is inconsequential to Saudi other than a political chip they hold to be used when it best suits them.

Saudi and Pakistan just signed a security pact so it is unlikely that Pakistan, if they are even interested, would move to normalization unless Saudi gives them the green light, which they will not and certainly not before they do.

Given Indonesia's position on Israel, doubling down on banning Israeli athletes along with the poor way Israel handled a possible meeting with Jakarta which infuriated them leading Jakarta to cancel and double down on banning Israeli's all conditions point to no.

Its important to understand that Normalization with Israel has nothing at all to do with Israel.  These countries want access and security guarantees with the US, that is the only motivation.

Lebanon, I can't speak to their thinking at the moment.  But Israel has weakened them so much that it may be a possibility.  Lebanon would so anything to stop being attacked or on the cusp of invasion.  So I would say certainly more possible than the other 3.

Naive-Culture292

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Washington, marking an improvement in relations with significant discussions on military sales and regional stability.

US-Saudi Arabia Relations

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

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What the people want