WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J Trump announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has been granted status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), a designation that expedites U.S. arms sales, technology transfers, and joint military exercises without the mutual-defense obligations of full NATO membership. Other MNNA countries are Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.
President Trump has forged an exceptionally close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) since 2017.
Back in June 2017, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud removed his nephew, interior minister Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir apparent and elevated Mohammed bin Salman to crown prince—a move endorsed by the royal family’s Allegiance Council.
In October 2017, now as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, he told investors in Riyadh, “We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world.”
By November 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chaired a newly formed anti-corruption committee that ordered the detention of hundreds of prominent princes, ministers, and businessmen, including billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal among them—called the 2017–2019 Saudi Arabian purge.
The purge consolidated political power in the hands of MBS. The detainees were confined at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh with banks accounts frozen. Allegations against detainees included money laundering, bribery, extortion, and taking advantage of public office for personal gain; many reached financial settlements with the government totaling over $100 billion.
Key achievements of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since becoming Crown Prince in June of 2017 are:
- Launched and accelerated Vision 2030 (2016 plan, fully implemented post-2017), aiming to reduce oil dependency from ~70% of budget revenue to under 50% by 2030.
- Created the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as a $900+ billion sovereign wealth fund (2025 valuation); invested globally in Uber, Lucid, Newcastle United, and domestic mega-projects.
- Founded landmark giga-projects: NEOM (futuristic city), The Red Sea Project, Qiddiya entertainment city, and AlUla heritage tourism site.
- Non-oil GDP growth averaged ~4–6% annually (2018–2025), with non-oil exports rising from ~16% to over 30% of total exports.
- Achieved first budget surplus in nearly a decade in 2022; Saudi Arabia became the fastest-growing G20 economy in 2022–2023.
- Allowed women to drive (June 2018) and eased male guardianship laws.
- Reopened cinemas after 35-year ban (2018); developed local film and entertainment industry.
- Introduced tourist visas (2019), attracting 100+ million visitors by 2024.
- Reduced influence of religious police; moderated school curricula.
- Hosted major global events: Formula 1 Saudi GP, WWE, Riyadh Season festivals, and LIV Golf.
- Female labor-force participation rose from 19% in 2017 to over 37% by 2025 (one of the fastest global increases).
- Raised minimum marriage age, allowed women to live alone, travel without permission, and obtain passports independently.
- Ended Qatar diplomatic blockade (2021 AlUla agreement).
- Brokered Saudi–Iran détente (China-mediated deal, March 2023); restored diplomatic ties.
- Intervened diplomatically in Sudan conflict and Yemen (2022–2025 truce efforts).
- Positioned Saudi Arabia as a leading voice in the Global South; hosted Ukraine–Russia talks and joined BRICS (2024).
- Localized ~70% of defense spending inside the kingdom (up from <2% in 2016) via Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).
- Scaled back Yemen military campaign after 2022 ceasefire while maintaining influence.
- Launched national AI strategy; positioned Riyadh as regional tech hub.
- Advanced nuclear energy cooperation and renewable projects (e.g., Sakaka solar plant).
- Secured 2034 FIFA World Cup hosting rights.
Author: Mario Lotmore
