The University of Exeter’s proposed partnership with the National Defense University in Saudi Arabia is not funded by “dirty money”, as the Exeter branch of the University and College Union claims, nor is it remotely covert (Exeter University approves deal with Saudi Arabia to train military officers and officials, 29 August).
Aligning with UK government policy, it is part of a legitimate strategic alliance with a leading Gulf state that, following the 7 October attacks and ongoing crisis, is playing an increasingly decisive role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
