The Biden administration is entertaining the idea of pursuing a US-Saudi mutual defense pact. How does the prospect of risking lives for the Saudi monarchy sound?
by Branko Marcetic, Jacobin
Here’s a question.
Over just the past few years, the Saudi Arabian government has assassinated a Washington Post journalist and US resident; dragged the United States into a ghastly, years-long war on a neighboring country that has further shredded US global standing; and repeatedly humiliated and threatened the US president while cozying up to his leading global rivals — all while imposing Medieval levels of repression against women, homosexuals, and others, ramping up its execution of dissidents to new highs. Oh, and it’s also now beyond a shadow of a doubt that members of its government were directly complicit in the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, that killed three thousand people, the worst ever attack on US soil.
In light of all this, should the United States:
a) find some way to punish the Saudi government?
b) distance itself from it while maintaining a working relationship out of necessity?
c) sign a mutual defense pact that would obligate US troops to kill and die on its behalf?
If you chose anything other than option c), congratulations, because you’re apparently better equipped to run US foreign policy than the people in charge.
Recent Posts
To Tax the Ultra-Rich, We Need to Go After Their Wealth—Not Just Income
Take Action Now Two proposals—one in California, one in Congress—could finally do it. The alternative is an ever-more-powerful billionaire class that…
DNC Shoots Down Resolutions Calling Out AIPAC and Limiting Arms to Israel
Take Action Now The party just kicked the can down the road again on Israel, deepening the divide between party members and their leaders.By Matt…
Tax Day 2026: The Average Taxpayer Paid $4,049 for War and Weapons
Take Action Now Wars don’t just cost taxpayers at the pump. Here’s what the average taxpayer spent for different priorities in 2025By…
Bombshell Report Reveals Trump Was Begging for Iran to Join Ceasefire
Take Action Now This contradicts everything the president has said about the war.By Malcolm Ferguson, The New Republic Recent reporting from the…