Relationships are weird. Geopolitical ones are even weirder. If you ask a random person on the street, "Is Saudi Arabia an ally of the us?" you’ll probably get a long pause followed by a "kinda?" or a "it depends on who you ask." Honestly, that’s the most accurate answer you can get.
As of early 2026, the vibe between Washington and Riyadh has shifted from "it’s complicated" to a high-stakes, multi-billion-dollar business partnership. It isn't just about oil and desert summits anymore. In November 2025, things got official in a way they haven't been in decades. President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) sat down at the White House and basically rewrote the rulebook.
The Major Non-NATO Ally Upgrade
Here’s the big news that changed the "ally" definition: Saudi Arabia is now officially a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
Trump dropped this news during a White House dinner on November 18, 2025. It’s a fancy title, but it actually means something in the real world. Saudi Arabia became the 20th country to get this status, joining the ranks of Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
Does this mean the US has to jump into a war if Saudi Arabia gets attacked? No.
That’s the catch. It’s not a NATO Article 5 "an attack on one is an attack on all" situation. Instead, it’s like a VIP pass for the military-industrial complex. The Kingdom now gets:
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- First dibs on surplus US military equipment.
- Access to joint research and development projects with the Pentagon.
- The ability to host US war reserve stockpiles.
- Priority delivery of high-tech gear, like those F-35 fighter jets they’ve been eyeing for years.
It’s a massive upgrade from the "pariah" status the Biden administration toyed with early on. Basically, the US decided that keeping Saudi Arabia close is better than letting them wander off toward Beijing.
The $1 Trillion Handshake
Let’s talk money, because that’s the real glue here. During that 2025 visit, the Crown Prince didn't just bring a list of weapons he wanted; he brought a checkbook.
Saudi Arabia pledged to increase its investment in the United States to nearly $1 trillion. That is a staggering amount of cash. We’re talking about Saudi money flowing into American AI research, semiconductor factories, and infrastructure.
For the US, this is a way to "onshore" manufacturing and keep a lead over China. For the Saudis, it’s about making sure their economy doesn't die when the world finally stops needing so much oil.
They also signed a Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA). This pact is interesting because it introduces "burden-sharing." Essentially, the Saudis are going to pay more to cover the costs of US troops and systems—like the Patriot and THAAD missile batteries—stationed in the Kingdom. It’s a very "business-first" approach to national security.
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The Nuclear and AI Elephant in the Room
One of the most surprising twists in the current US-Saudi relationship is the civilian nuclear deal.
For a long time, the US was hesitant to give the Kingdom nuclear tech because of "proliferation" fears—meaning they didn't want the Saudis to eventually make a bomb. But in late 2025, the two countries signed a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
The US figured that if they didn't build the reactors, China or Russia would. By being the ones to do it, American firms like Westinghouse get the contracts, and the US gets to keep an eye on the fuel.
Then there’s AI. There’s a new Memorandum of Understanding that gives Riyadh access to top-tier American AI chips and software. The condition? They have to pinky-promise not to let that tech leak to China. It’s a risky bet, but it shows how much the US is willing to gamble to keep Saudi Arabia in its orbit.
Why the "Ally" Label Still Feels Fragile
Despite the fancy dinners and the "Major Non-NATO Ally" badge, it’s not all sunshine. There are still some massive friction points that keep this from being a "true" friendship.
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- The Israel Factor: The US really wants Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. The Saudis are open to it, but they’ve been holding the line: no deal without a clear path to a Palestinian state. With the situation in Gaza still incredibly volatile in 2026, MBS can’t just ignore his own public opinion.
- Human Rights: People haven't forgotten Jamal Khashoggi. While the White House has shifted to a "transactional" relationship, plenty of people in Congress are still uneasy about the Kingdom’s crackdown on dissent.
- Oil Prices: The US always wants cheaper gas. The Saudis want higher oil prices to fund their "Vision 2030" projects. Sometimes these interests clash at the OPEC+ meetings, especially when Russia is in the room.
Is Saudi Arabia an Ally? The Verdict
So, is Saudi Arabia an ally of the us?
Technically, yes. Legally, they are now a Major Non-NATO Ally. Strategically, they are a primary partner in the Middle East for countering Iran and limiting Chinese influence.
But they aren't a "friend" in the way the UK or Canada is. It’s a partnership built on mutual needs and cold, hard cash. They need our weapons and tech; we need their capital and regional weight.
It’s a marriage of convenience that just got a very expensive prenup.
What You Should Watch Next
If you’re trying to keep track of where this relationship goes from here, keep your eyes on these three things:
- The F-35 Delivery Schedule: If the first jets actually land in Riyadh, the alliance is "real." If it gets delayed by Congress, it’s just talk.
- The AI Safeguards: Watch for any reports of US technology being used by Chinese firms in the Saudi "NEOM" project. That would blow up the partnership instantly.
- The Red Sea Tensions: As Houthi threats continue to disrupt shipping, see if the US and Saudi navies start conducting more integrated combat missions. That’s where the "ally" label gets tested in fire.
The days of the US lecturing the Kingdom from a distance are over. Now, they're in the trenches of the global tech and energy war together—whether both sides like it or not.