DID Press: Politico reports that under newly announced security arrangements between the United States and Saudi Arabia — unveiled by President Donald Trump — Riyadh will be designated a “Major Non-NATO Ally,” a status that paves the way for expanded U.S. weapons storage in the kingdom and deepens bilateral defense cooperation.
According to Politico, the new designation will streamline the transfer of U.S. military equipment to the Middle East and elevate Saudi Arabia’s standing within Washington’s network of security partners. While the “Major Non-NATO Ally” status does not grant Saudi Arabia the collective defense guarantees enjoyed by NATO members, it places the kingdom alongside key U.S. partners such as Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan.
The agreement allows the United States to pre-position weapons and military equipment on Saudi territory and enables Riyadh to participate in Pentagon maintenance tenders and procure depleted-uranium munitions.
Despite past tensions between the two governments over human rights, oil policy, and issues related to Israel, Saudi Arabia has remained a central pillar of Trump’s Middle East strategy — and was the first foreign destination of his presidential trips in both terms.
Analysts say the deal reflects Washington’s broader effort to recalibrate the region’s security architecture by relying more heavily on partners capable of assuming a more active role in U.S. defense strategy.