Speaking with Arab News, AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish commented on a U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia: “The Trump administration’s decision to release the long-scheduled weapons sale to Saudi Arabia isn’t a surprise.” Ibish continued, “Trump, Tillerson and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis have all signaled a strong interest in maintaining a strong military posture toward Iran, and close cooperation with allies such as Saudi Arabia.” He also noted that “Even under (Barack) Obama or (Trump’s former campaign rival) Hillary Clinton, the sale would ultimately have gone ahead because of the strong American interest in the outcome in Yemen and maintaining close security ties to Saudi Arabia.”