Saudi Arabia is expected to announce a deal to invest as much as $40 billion to help build out U.S. infrastructure when President Trump visits the oil-rich kingdom later this week. – Washington Examiner
The United States has signed a new, updated defense accord with the United Arab Emirates that could allow Washington to send more troops and equipment there, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, in the latest sign of deepening ties with the close Gulf ally. - Reuters
Josh Rogin reports: When President Trump arrives in Riyadh this week, he will lay out his vision for a new regional security architecture White House officials call an “Arab NATO,” to guide the fight against terrorism and push back against Iran. As a cornerstone of the plan, Trump will also announce one of the largest arms-sales deals in history. – Washington Post
David Daoud and David Andrew Weinberg write: Saudi Arabia’s nascent thawing of relations with Israel and the Jewish people is step in a positive direction. However, Riyadh’s permission for its officials to enflame anti-Semitism works at cross-purposes with this objective, and is ultimately bad for American interests. Riyadh understandably wants Israel to acknowledge the Palestinians’ peoplehood and their claim to an independent state. By the same token, Saudis should also stop denying the humanity of Jews and Israelis – and that includes their connection to Jerusalem‘s holy sites. Further, Riyadh should cease its attempts to delegitimize the State of Israel. - The Forward