Saudi Arabia Learns the Limits of Pay to Play
IdeasSaudi Arabia Learns the Limits of Pay to PlayEven money and gifts can’t buy diplomatic loyalty from Trump.By David FrumBrendan Smialowski / AFP / GettyJuly 24, 2026, 7:29 PM ET ShareSave Faithless, chaotic, and corrupt: Donald Trump's character also shapes his foreign policy. The latest victim is Saudi Arabia—not a sympathetic victim, maybe, but a victim all the same.On July 22, United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed an agreement for a Saudi-U.S. civilian nuclear partnership. The multi-decade, multibillion-dollar deal allows American companies to develop and operate commercial nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, potentially including a uranium-enrichment facility.
- ▪IdeasSaudi Arabia Learns the Limits of Pay to PlayEven money and gifts can’t buy diplomatic loyalty from Trump.By David FrumBrendan Smialowski / AFP / GettyJuly 24, 2026, 7:29 PM ET ShareSave Faithless, chaotic, and corrupt: Donald Trump's
- ▪The latest victim is Saudi Arabia—not a sympathetic victim, maybe, but a victim all the same.On July 22, United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed an agreement for a Saudi-U.S. civilian nuclear partnership
- ▪The multi-decade, multibillion-dollar deal allows American companies to develop and operate commercial nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, potentially including a uranium-enrichment facility.
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IdeasSaudi Arabia Learns the Limits of Pay to PlayEven money and gifts can’t buy diplomatic loyalty from Trump.By David FrumBrendan Smialowski / AFP / GettyJuly 24, 2026, 7:29 PM ET ShareSave Faithless, chaotic, and corrupt: Donald Trump's character also shapes his foreign policy. The latest victim is Saudi Arabia—not a sympathetic victim, maybe, but a victim all the same.On July 22, United States Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart signed an agreement for a Saudi-U.S. civilian nuclear partnership. The multi-decade, multibillion-dollar deal allows American companies to develop and operate commercial nuclear power plants on Saudi soil, potentially including a uranium-enrichment facility. The Saudis have sought such a deal for almost 20 years.
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