Bangladesh, Nov. 22 -- Washingtons decision to designate Saudi Arabia as a “Major Non-NATO Ally” (MNNA) has already made headlines, but much of its deeper geopolitical logic remains underreported. With Riyadh now joining the exclusive MNNA club, the Middle Easts diplomatic landscape is being redrawn in real time.

The designation signals not only enhanced military cooperation but also an implicit recognition of Saudi Arabias centrality in Washingtons current regional calculus, which has shifted dramatically under Trump. One may recall that Qatar has similarly been elevated in importance, for Washington under the same administration. As Ive noted, Washington sees Doha as uniquely positioned to mediate between rival factions, ma...