WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Trump Tells MBS That He Will Sell Saudi Arabia the F-35
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Nov 18, 2025 In this discussion, Elliot Kaufman and Kate O'Dell dissect Trump's proposal to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia. Kaufman raises concerns about U.S. leverage and the implications of this sale on Israel's military edge, while O'Dell questions the risks of Saudi nuclear ambitions and ties to China. The guests debate the impact of MBS’s conditions for joining the Abraham Accords and consider the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.
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U.S.-Saudi Relationship Has Rebounded
- The U.S.-Saudi relationship has shifted from pariah status to full diplomatic and commercial engagement since Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
- President Trump is accelerating ties with major deals spanning investment and advanced arms sales like the F-35.
Trump Floats F-35 Sale Publicly
- President Trump publicly indicated willingness to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia and framed it as comparable to other allies' access.
- That declaration sets a political expectation before formal Pentagon and congressional review processes occur.
Condition Major Arms On Strategic Concessions
- Demand clear concessions before approving F-35 transfers, such as distancing Saudi Arabia from China and normalizing ties with Israel.
- Insist on safeguards and conditions to prevent advanced technology from reaching adversaries.