Overview
- Negotiating teams are working to finalize agreements ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Nov. 18 White House meeting after weeks of tense talks, according to multiple reports.
- U.S. officials expect a security pledge structured as an executive arrangement rather than a Senate‑ratified treaty, with reporting indicating a model similar to the recent U.S.–Qatar pact that could be revoked by a future administration.
- Talks include major arms sales and investment packages, with several outlets reporting possible F‑35 fighter jet sales and a U.S.–Saudi investment forum planned in Washington.
- Axios reports that Trump told MBS in a recent call he expects movement toward normalization with Israel following the Gaza ceasefire, though U.S. officials caution that a breakthrough next week is uncertain.
- Saudi officials continue to condition any formal ties with Israel on a time‑bound pathway to Palestinian statehood, and Israeli political resistance, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, remains a key obstacle.