In protest against Saudi Arabia’s military-targeting procedures in Yemen, the White House is suspending some arms transfers to the Kingdom. But rhetoric aside, it’s a half-hearted move.

No longer pillars held together by Pax Americana, Iran and Saudi Arabia are left to test which of them now has power to come out on top. All manner of unsuspected alliances and enmities may emerge.

The US State Department has approved the sale of precision-guided weapon systems to Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon, marking the latest US-Saudi arms deal under President Donald Trump.