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

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