️🇺🇸🇸🇦🇾🇪🇾🇪 FT⁠: Donald Trump's reluctance to directly join Saudi Arabia's fight against the Houthis is straining ties with Riyadh, as Saudi officials increasingly question Washington's credibility as a defense partner.

️🇺🇸🇸🇦🇾🇪🇾🇪 FT⁠: Donald Trump's reluctance to directly join Saudi Arabia's fight against the Houthis is straining ties with Riyadh, as Saudi officials increasingly question Washington's credibility as a defense partner.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has asked Trump for US airstrikes against the Houthis, but Washington has refused to participate directly, while continuing to provide Saudi Arabia with weapons, intelligence and targeting information. The US also recently approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia.

"MBS will not forget this," said retired US Lt. Gen. Karen Gibson, adding that the hesitation shows the US "will not necessarily fight when Saudi Arabia believes its vital interests are threatened."