RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Saudi Arabia to meet privately with King Abdullah amid tensions between the two allies over the U.S. response to political upheaval in the Arab world.
The Saudis think the Americans are pushing too hard for political change — thereby giving Iran an opportunity to spread Shiite Muslim influence in a region dominated by Sunni Muslim rulers.
Gates and the Saudi king are also due to discuss potential new U.S. arms sales, including upgraded Patriot missile defenses.
They also are expected to talk about progress in completing an existing $60 billion sale of U.S. fighter aircraft and other weaponry.
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