Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are pushing the US for deeper security support as the Biden administration seeks the two Gulf powers’ co-operation on everything from energy and the Ukraine crisis to the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran.
The UAE has requested the US agree to a more “institutionalised security commitment” that would include enhanced intelligence sharing, more combined exercises and operations, two people briefed on Abu Dhabi’s position said.
Saudi Arabia is also seeking greater security commitments, including intelligence co-operation and operational support to counter threats from Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, who regularly launch missile and drone strikes into the kingdom, another person briefed on Riyadh’s position said.
Long considered vital US partners, both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have strained relations with the Biden administration and have resisted US pressure to increase crude production to help damp high oil prices and take a tougher stance against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
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