Proposed U.S. $24.3 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia advances

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, according to the article, which would make the kingdom the second Middle Eastern country after Israel to field the world’s most powerful combat aircraft. The department said the deal would support U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by improving security for a major non-NATO ally. Israel has reportedly wanted the sale tied to a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia, though the article says that is not on the horizon. Congress could still block the deal through review and joint resolution procedures, and U.S. law requires Israel to maintain a qualitative military edge.