Saudi Arabia and its regional partners may face challenges in their relationship with the U.S. if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency, experts suggest. During her 2020 presidential campaign, Harris criticized the kingdom following the killing of journalist Jamaal Khashoggi and supported a Senate bill calling for a public report on the incident.
In a 2019 questionnaire from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Harris referred to the Saudis as 'strong partners' but emphasized the need to reassess the relationship and stand up for American values and interests. She also opposed weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.
While President Joe Biden initially approved a significant arms deal with Saudi Arabia in 2022, he later paused offensive weapons sales to the nation. Harris has been vocal about ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen and has criticized weapon sales to the kingdom.
Despite Biden's promise to reevaluate U.S.-Saudi ties over the Khashoggi killing, his administration has sought to strengthen the relationship to counter Iran's influence. Efforts include defense guarantees, civil nuclear cooperation, and a bilateral agreement to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Experts suggest that a Harris administration may prioritize diplomacy with Iran over confronting its regional activities, potentially impacting U.S. alliances in the Middle East. Harris has expressed support for rejoining the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018.
Observers anticipate that a Harris administration would focus on renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal, potentially overlooking Iran's regional actions to prioritize nuclear diplomacy. However, the Biden administration has shown reluctance to engage in immediate negotiations with Iran.
As tensions persist in the region, the future of U.S.-Saudi relations and the approach towards Iran remain uncertain, with potential implications for regional stability and alliances.
