News - Middle East: The US will never penalize its Saudi client for anything, and there are never any practical consequences for the kingdom’s war crimes and abuses, says an American think tank.

Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia pressured the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC Plus) alliance in October to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day, the US administration is dropping its threats against the kingdom, Responsible Statecraft said in an article.

“The White House’s anger over the cut had already cooled shortly after the midterm elections, and since then the administration has been only too quick to cater to Saudi requests,” it added.

The article also explained that the US administration even lobbied against the new Yemen war powers resolution which could have ended Washington’s support for the Saudi-led coalition’s devastating war in Yemen.

“Under [US president Joe] Biden, the US not only doesn’t use its leverage to pressure Saudi Arabia to change its behavior, but it also applies pressure on members of Congress to satisfy the Saudis,” it said, adding that, “the US reliably gives in to Saudi pressure and does nothing to respond even when their government acts directly against US interests.”

It further criticized the US’s increasing military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, saying that the US must correct its “overinvestment of resources in the Middle East” and scale back its “military involvement in the region.”

“The US should be looking for ways to reduce and ultimately end the military assistance it provides to the Saudis, including arms sales. This is important for the US so that it is no longer aiding and abetting Saudi crimes,” it said.

The think tank noted that empty threats of punishment have only made the crown prince even more arrogant and contemptuous of the US as our officials hasten to “reassure” him every time he undermines American interests.

"This is likely to make the crown prince more reckless in the future, and it will become even more difficult to rein in his abuses."