Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States is trying to determine whether military cooperation with Saudi Arabia will change under King Salman, a report said.

The Brookings Doha Center asserted that the rise of King Salman has raised the prospect of a new U.S. defense and military relationship with Riyad. In a report, the center cited the appointment of Salman’s son, Mohammed, as the kingdom’s new defense minister, according to Middle East Newsline.

“For the United States, the most immediate issue during the transition is military-to-military cooperation,” the report, titled “Saudi Arabia’s Game of Thrones,” said.

Author F. Gregory Gause said Mohammed, said to be anywhere from 28 to 34, appeared inexperienced in military and government affairs. The prince, who also serves as head of the royal court, did not study outside of the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom or hold a significant official position.

“As defense minister, Mohammed Bin Salman will now be the point person in that area,” the report, released on Feb. 9, said.

“His views on a range of issues involved in Saudi-American relations are not publicly known. Given the centrality in the relationship of military-to-military cooperation, his appointment raises questions about the day-to-day operation of this element of bilateral ties.”

Gause said the new defense minister would not “radically alter the decades-long Saudi-American partnership.” Riyad has ordered about $30 billion worth of combat aircraft and munitions, much of it for the Saudi Arabian National Guard, still under the authority of Mohammed’s rival, Prince Miteb, the son of the late King Abdullah.

“He [Mohammed Bin Salman] will be the gatekeeper, deciding on who sees his father and who does not,” the report said. “And he is also head of the economic and development committee, which will coordinate the kingdom’s economic policy.”

The report said U.S.-Saudi intelligence cooperation was not expected to change. The intelligence realm was said to be directed by Interior Minister Mohammed Bin Nayef, appointed deputy crown prince and deemed close to Washington.

“Close relations with the United States is part of the policy consensus that united the party of Faisal over the decades, and Salman was part of that consensus,” the report said “But the extent and depth of cooperation will hinge on how his son manages his ministry and the relationship with Washington.”

  Concerned about Saudi military ties, U.S. focuses on inexperienced prince with huge defense budget