Top Democrat urges US block on weapons sales to Riyadh | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 06, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 06, 2025
Top Democrat urges US block on weapons sales to Riyadh

World+Biz

BSS/AFP
11 October, 2022, 01:05 pm
Last modified: 11 October, 2022, 01:18 pm

Related News

  • US-Bangla launches direct flights from Dhaka to Riyadh
  • US-Bangla Airlines to launch direct flights to Riyadh from 21 April
  • New deal signed with Riyadh to import 4 lakh tonnes fertilisers
  • Habib Wahid performs for Bangladeshi expatriates in Riyadh
  • Riyadh reluctant to derail Iran detente over US Red Sea taskforce

Top Democrat urges US block on weapons sales to Riyadh

BSS/AFP
11 October, 2022, 01:05 pm
Last modified: 11 October, 2022, 01:18 pm
Top Democrat urges US block on weapons sales to Riyadh

A powerful US senator called Monday for Washington to freeze all cooperation with Saudi Arabia over its decision to "underwrite" Russia's war in Ukraine by slashing oil production.

Riyadh, Moscow and other top oil producers agreed last week to a deep cut in production to boost crude prices, in a move denounced by the United States as a concession to Moscow that would hurt the global economy.

"There simply is no room to play both sides of this conflict -- either you support the rest of the free world in trying to stop a war criminal from violently wiping off an entire country off of the map, or you support him," Bob Menendez, who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chose the latter in a terrible decision driven by economic self-interest."

The 13-nation, Saudi-led OPEC cartel and its 10 allies headed by Russia agreed to reduce output by two million barrels a day from November -- raising fears that oil prices could soar.

Saudi Arabia said OPEC's priority was "to maintain a sustainable oil market" but its move drew a swift rebuke from the Washington, which is leading efforts to isolate major energy producer Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

"The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend US personnel and interests," Menendez said.

"As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will not green-light any cooperation with Riyadh until the kingdom reassesses its position with respect to the war in Ukraine. Enough is enough."

An outspoken critic of Riyadh, Menendez has been at the forefront of the campaign to sanction Saudi royalty over the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence concluded was ordered by de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman.

He is the latest in a string of lawmakers calling for a rethink on the US-Saudi relationship but is able to wield considerably more influence than most in his drive to impose increased scrutiny on arms sales.

When former president Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration to bypass Congress in approving a weapons deal with Riyadh in 2019, Menendez jammed up the process by refusing to acknowledge the White House's notification of the sale until he had received answers about his concerns about use of US-made weaponry in Yemen.

"I am horrified by Russia's depraved and desperate escalation against civilian infrastructure across Ukraine -- including in Kyiv," he said.

"I pledge to use all means at my disposal to accelerate support for the people of Ukraine and to starve Russia's war machine."

Top News / Middle East / USA

US weapons supply / Riyadh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Shahinur Rahman alias Shaheen Dakat, 32, was detained from his in-laws' house in Majherghat village, Ramu upazila, Cox's Bazar early today (5 June). Photo: ISPR
    Army nabs notorious border criminal 'Shaheen Dakat' in Cox’s Bazar
  • China to help Bangladesh counter political disinformation in foreign media
    China to help Bangladesh counter political disinformation in foreign media
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Nearly 100% RMG factories clear wages, bonuses ahead of Eid-ul-Adha: BGMEA

MOST VIEWED

  • BRAC Bank to issue Tk1,000cr social bond
    BRAC Bank to issue Tk1,000cr social bond
  • Janata Bank incurs Tk3,066cr loss in 2024
    Janata Bank incurs Tk3,066cr loss in 2024
  • China to help Bangladesh counter political disinformation in foreign media
    China to help Bangladesh counter political disinformation in foreign media
  • File Photo: TBS
    Ctg port, customs open during Eid, yet supply chain may falter
  • Agrani Bank incurs Tk982cr loss in 2024
    Agrani Bank incurs Tk982cr loss in 2024
  • Infograph: TBS
    Chinese firm to recycle Savar tannery solid waste, produce gelatine, industrial protein powder

Related News

  • US-Bangla launches direct flights from Dhaka to Riyadh
  • US-Bangla Airlines to launch direct flights to Riyadh from 21 April
  • New deal signed with Riyadh to import 4 lakh tonnes fertilisers
  • Habib Wahid performs for Bangladeshi expatriates in Riyadh
  • Riyadh reluctant to derail Iran detente over US Red Sea taskforce

Features

Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

1d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

2d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

The GOAT of all goats!

3d | Magazine
Photo: Nayem Ali

Eid-ul-Adha cattle markets

3d | Magazine

More Videos from TBS

Actions Against Chinese Students: How Trump's Policies are Transforming America?

Actions Against Chinese Students: How Trump's Policies are Transforming America?

17h | TBS World
Customers are buying new notes at high prices from the open market, not getting them from banks

Customers are buying new notes at high prices from the open market, not getting them from banks

19h | TBS Today
Cattle markets begin to form in Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

Cattle markets begin to form in Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

23h | TBS Today
98 Percent of Roads in the Southern Region Are Outside Highway Police Jurisdiction

98 Percent of Roads in the Southern Region Are Outside Highway Police Jurisdiction

22h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net