(Image source from: PTI)
The balance of power in the Middle East might be changing. Currently, only Israel has the advanced US-made F-35 fighter jets. But this aerial advantage could soon be challenged because President Donald Trump plans to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, Israel hasn't opposed this. This decision may offer a strategic benefit that is greater than any risks. Just before Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his first visit to the US in seven years, Trump announced his approval for selling F-35 jets to the Arab country. Trump told reporters, "I am going to do that. They want to buy them. They have been a good friend." The F-35 is thought to be the world's most advanced fighter jet, designed with technology that helps it avoid being seen by enemies.
This move wasn't without reason, given Trump's reputation as a skilled negotiator. At the same time, the US President praised Saudi Arabia for helping with US missile attacks on Iranian nuclear sites this year.
He didn't realize the trouble he was causing. Selling America's best fighter jet to Saudi Arabia, a country that Israel has often disagreed with, was sure to upset Israel. Actually, Saudi Arabia and Israel have never been officially friendly. But it looks like Trump had a larger goal in mind with this action. Experts believe Trump might use the F-35 sale to encourage Saudi Arabia to become friendly with Israel.
A larger objective is to convince Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, which created normal diplomatic ties between Israel and certain Arab nations (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan). Saudi Arabia is not part of this deal, which was signed in 2020 during Trump's first term. If Trump returns to power, he aims to expand the Abraham Accords and likely wants another "peace trophy" for himself. He is focused on winning the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize after not getting it in 2025. Israel's acceptance of Trump's F-35 decision suggests it is open to wider diplomatic efforts and gaining support from Arab countries after the two-year war in Gaza. Besides the US, Israel has had difficulty making friends and allies due to accusations of widespread human rights violations by Tel Aviv in the Palestinian area. Therefore, having a strong economic country like Saudi Arabia as an ally is more important than having a stronger military in the Middle East.
The US has always kept its most advanced weapons for Israel, making sure Tel Aviv had a "better military advantage" than other Arab countries.
Changes are happening in the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, which got much worse in 2018 after Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist and Saudi critic, was supposedly killed by Saudi agents. But Saudi Arabia might not agree to join the Abraham Accords. Saudi Arabia has always said it would only join if there was a definite way to create a Palestinian state, something Israel has always been against.
There's also another reason for Trump's offers to Saudi Arabia. A main concern that stopped the US from giving F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia before was the worry that China might get hold of the advanced technology. Saudi Arabia is one of the few Arab countries that gets along well with China. Now, by offering its top jet to Saudi Arabia, Trump wants to stop the Arab nation from becoming too close to China.
