Saudi Arabia Seeks New Alliances as US Protection Fades

Saudi Arabia's reliance on US protection has been tested in recent months as tensions with Iran and its proxies have escalated. The kingdom was left disappointed when the Trump administration refused to come to its aid after a surprise attack by Yemeni rebels threatened its Red Sea lifeline.

This development has forced Saudi Arabia to seek new alliances, with the kingdom announcing a 15-nation maritime alliance in July to safeguard shipping through strategic waterways. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a NATO-inspired security pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is another key move aimed at countering threats from Iran-aligned groups.

The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia has been strained due to Washington's reluctance to get involved in another conflict with Iran. The kingdom's energy infrastructure has also come under attack, resulting in a 25% contraction in oil activities and a nearly 5% decrease in GDP between April and June.