Saudi foreign policy will prioritise US ties

Significance

Saudi media has pushed back strongly, but the accusations threaten to reinforce US distrust of the crown prince, centred on the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Riyadh, for its part, fears an ongoing US Middle East drawdown.

Impacts

• Washington will pressure Riyadh towards social and economic reforms and repeatedly raise human rights issues.
• The Saudi defence establishment will procure more drones and low-grade munitions from Moscow and Beijing.
• A growing number of Saudi military officers, professionals and students will train or work in China and Russia.
• Despite rumours, Riyadh would not jeopardise its relationship with Washington by taking delivery of Russian S-400 air defence missiles.