A Deal That Costs Too Much
On May 13, 2025, the White House celebrated a $600 billion agreement with Saudi Arabia, promising jobs and economic growth. Yet, this deal raises a pressing question. How can we justify deepening ties with a regime notorious for human rights violations? The promise of prosperity cannot erase the ethical weight of partnering with a government that suppresses dissent and escalates regional suffering.
This agreement includes $142 billion in defense sales alongside investments in AI, energy, and infrastructure. The White House claims it will create tens of thousands of American jobs. But the cost is steep. Saudi Arabia’s actions, from the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to its role in Yemen’s humanitarian disaster, demand scrutiny. Aligning with such a regime risks undermining the values we hold dear.
The United States has long positioned itself as a champion of democracy and human rights. This deal, however, prioritizes economic gain over accountability. It signals a troubling willingness to overlook abuses for the sake of profit. Why are we trading our moral credibility for short-term wins?
The partnership began in 1945 with Franklin Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz Al Saud, rooted in mutual interests like oil and security. But today’s challenges—Iran’s influence, Yemen’s crisis, and the need for Middle East peace—require more than transactional deals. We need a strategy that upholds our principles while fostering prosperity.
By embracing Saudi Arabia without conditions, we send a dangerous message to the world. Authoritarian regimes may see this as a green light to act without consequence. The White House calls this a victory, but for those who care about justice and global stability, it feels like a profound misstep.
Arms Sales Without Accountability
At the heart of this deal lies a $142 billion defense package, the largest in US history. It includes advanced air and missile defense systems, maritime security upgrades, and military training for Saudi forces. Supporters argue it counters Iran’s influence, strengthening US security. Yet, without robust oversight, these weapons could fuel devastation.
Saudi Arabia’s actions in Yemen, where over 150,000 people have died since 2015, highlight the risks. US-supplied weapons have been linked to civilian casualties, yet this deal includes no enforceable human rights safeguards. Why are we arming a regime with such a troubling record?
History offers warnings. In the 1980s, Reagan’s arms sales to Saudi Arabia sparked concerns about regional instability. Today, we risk repeating that error. The lack of congressional oversight or end-use monitoring in this agreement could entangle the United States in conflicts we cannot control.
Organizations like Amnesty International have urged stricter conditions on arms transfers. Their concerns are valid: without transparency, we enable abuses. The White House touts job creation in defense industries, but profiting from weapons that may harm civilians is a moral failing we cannot ignore.
This deal should align with our values. By demanding accountability from Saudi Arabia, we can ensure our partnerships strengthen, not undermine, our global leadership. The world is watching, and we must act with integrity.
Squandering a Chance for Peace
The agreement’s failure to address Israel-Palestine normalization is a missed opportunity. The Middle East stands at a pivotal moment, with peace prospects fragile but possible. Why does this deal prioritize military and economic ties over diplomatic progress that could transform the region?
The 2020 Abraham Accords proved that normalization between Israel and Arab states is achievable. Saudi Arabia’s role is critical, yet this agreement sidesteps it. By focusing on profits instead of peace, we risk prolonging conflict and instability.
Policy experts at groups like the Center for American Progress warn that unconditional support for Saudi Arabia weakens US influence. They argue for tying partnerships to governance reforms and peace initiatives. Without such conditions, we enable a cycle of repression and unrest.
This deal could have been a turning point. A partnership that pressures Saudi Arabia to support a two-state solution or end its role in Yemen’s crisis would show true leadership. Instead, we’ve chosen a narrow, transactional path that ignores the region’s deeper needs.
Demanding a Better Path
We need a foreign policy that reflects our values. Congress must step in, as it did in 2019 when it challenged Saudi arms sales over Yemen. Lawmakers should demand end-use monitoring and human rights conditions to ensure US weapons don’t fuel atrocities.
The American people deserve partnerships that balance prosperity with principle. This deal, while economically tempting, risks tarnishing our global standing. We must hold our allies accountable and prioritize justice alongside growth.
The 2025 US-Saudi agreement may boost corporate profits, but it betrays the ideals that make America a global leader. We can forge a better future—one where our partnerships uphold human rights and foster lasting peace. It’s time to act with courage and conviction.