It really is a big deal for the Saudi to host American forces on their territory. It was an act that inspired OBL to attack America in 2001. But the deal was the Americans would be tolerated because they can protect the Kingdom. But they can't protect themselves, with reports emerging that 5 KC135s have been hit on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base, explaining why the Americans suddenly pulled these aircraft out. https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/14/five-tankers-damaged-at-psab/ I can foresee the Americans being replaced by the Chinese at this rate. China and Saudi Arabia recently signed a deal establishing military drone factories in Jeddah, and the Saudis are buying Chinese ballistic missiles. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/unpacking-china-file-us-saudi-relations China is quite popular on the street in the Arab world https://www.arabbarometer.org/2021/12/fragile-popularity-arab-attitudes-towards-china/
