Trump’s Saudi Nuclear Pact Is the Latest Sign That Israel’s U.S. Support Is Tanking

The recent agreement between President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia to supply nuclear-energy technology has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, particularly in Israel. This deal, which allows the Saudis to develop civilian nuclear energy without making any promises or concessions, marks a stark departure from the Biden administration’s approach.

Unlike previous agreements, where countries have pledged not to convert civilian nuclear energy into military use, this pact gives Saudi Arabia a free pass. The lack of conditions attached to it has sparked panic in Israel, with even the hawkish Yisrael Beytenu party calling for opposition to the deal. Former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program will inevitably lead to nuclear proliferation and a catastrophic arms race across the Middle East.

Trump’s personal relationships with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his son-in-law Jared Kushner likely played a significant role in this deal. Kushner has developed close ties with the Saudi royal family, and rumors suggest he may have even profited from their investments in his private company. The absence of any National Security Council meetings to discuss this deal raises questions about Trump’s commitment to regional security.

The implications of this pact are far-reaching for Israel, which has long rested its security on its status as the only Middle Eastern country with atomic weapons. If Saudi Arabia were to acquire even a small number of nuclear weapons, it would fundamentally alter the regional balance of power. The US Congress is likely to review this deal during its 90-day review period, but given the current composition of Congress, it’s unclear whether they will be able to block it.

The lack of transparency and accountability in this deal is also disturbing. Unlike previous agreements, which have included strict conditions and verification mechanisms, this pact seems to have been negotiated behind closed doors. Saudi Arabia has refused to sign the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, raising questions about how the US or the International Atomic Energy Agency would verify that its nuclear program is peaceful.

This deal highlights the erosion of Israel’s support in the US Congress. In recent years, public opinion and Congressional backing have shifted against Israel due to its attacks on civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank. Trump’s willingness to sign this deal without attaching conditions may be seen as a sign of his administration’s decreased commitment to Israel’s security.

As the debate over this deal unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether Congress can muster the opposition needed to block it. Given Trump’s likely veto power, even if they manage to vote down the deal, it’s unclear what impact it would have on US-Saudi relations. What is clear, however, is that this pact has far-reaching implications for regional security and the future of US foreign policy in the Middle East.

The real question now is not whether Congress will block this deal but what it says about the current state of US-Israeli relations. This Saudi nuclear pact represents a Faustian bargain for Israel’s security, but also marks a stark departure from the traditional bipartisan support that Israel has enjoyed in the US Congress. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: this deal will have significant consequences for regional stability and the future of Middle Eastern politics.

The silence from key figures like Marco Rubio, who was instrumental in sponsoring legislation to block nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia just a few years ago, raises more questions than answers. Will they now distance themselves from their earlier positions or try to find ways to justify this new pact? The scrutiny that Congress will bring to bear on this deal during the review period may be too little, too late.

As the US-Saudi nuclear pact becomes a central point of debate in the region, one thing is certain: it marks a turning point in US-Israeli relations. Whether or not Congress manages to block this deal, its implications for regional security and the future of US foreign policy in the Middle East will be felt for years to come.

The deal’s impact on Westinghouse Electric and the entire nuclear industry, which stands to make billions from this pact, is a reminder that this is also about money and influence. Trump’s personal financial interests may have played a significant role in shaping this agreement, but it is the long-term consequences for regional stability that should be of primary concern.

As the dust settles on this deal, one thing becomes clear: the US has traded off its traditional commitment to Israel’s security for short-term gains and personal connections. Whether or not this trade-off ultimately pays off remains to be seen, but what is certain is that it marks a significant shift in the regional balance of power.