Trump may have embraced Mohammad bin Salman, but Washington’s “reset” with Riyadh is more illusion than alliance.

The visit and the many deals

Amid flashy lights and probing questions from the media, President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman signed a series of landmark agreements that marked a major upgrade in US-Saudi relations. MBS’s November 2025 visit to Washington was consequential for several reasons: Trump announced the sale of F-35 stealth jets to the Kingdom — a historic first for any Arab nation — and formally elevated Saudi Arabia to a major non-NATO ally. Beyond these headline-grabbing moves, the two sides also signed agreements on civil nuclear energy cooperation, artificial intelligence collaboration, and a Critical Minerals Framework designed to align strategic supply chains. The Kingdom further pledged to ramp up its investment in the US to nearly $1 trillion, spanning energy, technology, defense, and infrastructure sectors. These measures signal a strategic reset: the US gains a closer partner in the Middle East, while Saudi Arabia secures advanced military capabilities, diversified technological partnerships, and a deepened economic footprint.

Clearly, Riyadh is aiming to leverage its revamped ties with the US to boost both its regional influence and its global standing. But the question remains: can it really do so? A closer look suggests the limits of this strategy. For one, Saudi........

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