Saudi Arabia Executes Minor, White House Sees 'Progress'
Abdullah al-Derazi, accused of joining protests as a minor in 2011, has been executed by Saudi Arabia. The New Arab article notes al-Derazi joins a long list of individuals sentenced as minors, a practice that human rights groups consistently condemn. This 'progress' (as the State Department might put it) comes as the US continues to funnel billions in arms to Riyadh. In 2023 alone, the Biden
administration approved over $5.5 billion in military sales to the kingdom (Defense Security Cooperation Agency data). One might ponder if these 'strategic partnerships' are measured in democratic values, or just dollar signs.