Saudi Ex‑Intelligence Official Seeks U.S. Assistance, Allegedly Discloses Sensitive American Information

Saad Al‑Jabri, a former senior figure in Saudi Arabia’s intelligence establishment who has fallen out with the kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has reportedly reached out to a network of retired U.S. officials and diplomats for help in countering a mounting wave of corruption accusations against him. In the process, Al‑Jabri is said to have shared a trove of classified U.S. material that could expose sensitive details of American operations and diplomatic negotiations.

Al‑Jabri, who once oversaw the kingdom’s internal security apparatus, left Saudi Arabia in late 2022 after a bitter power struggle with the Crown Prince’s inner circle. Since then, he has been living in exile, first in the United Kingdom and more recently in the United States, where he has been attempting to build a coalition of former U.S. intelligence and State Department officials willing to lobby on his behalf.

According to sources close to the matter, Al‑Jabri’s outreach began in early 2024 when he approached a small group of retired CIA officers, former senior State Department staff, and ex‑military leaders. He allegedly offered them copies of internal memos, diplomatic cables, and surveillance data that the United States had shared with Saudi Arabia during joint counter‑terrorism operations. In exchange, he sought political backing to challenge the Saudi government’s claims that he had misappropriated billions of dollars in public funds and that he was complicit in a series of illicit arms deals.

“The guy is trying to turn the tables by weaponizing the very secrets that the U.S. handed over to Riyadh,” said an anonymous senior official at the U.S. Department of Defense who asked not to be identified. “If true, it puts both our intelligence community and our diplomatic relationships at serious risk.”

Saudi authorities have already opened a criminal investigation into Al‑Jabri’s alleged embezzlement and have issued an international arrest warrant. In a statement released last week, the Saudi Ministry of Interior accused the former official of “squandering state resources, facilitating illicit financial flows, and compromising national security by leaking classified information to foreign entities.”

U.S. officials, meanwhile, are reportedly conducting a parallel internal review to determine whether any classified material was indeed transferred to Al‑Jabri and, if so, how it might have been disseminated. A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said, “We take any unauthorized disclosure of classified information very seriously. Appropriate investigative steps are underway.”

Legal experts warn that Al‑Jabri’s actions could expose him to multiple charges under both Saudi and U.S. law, including violations of the Espionage Act and statutes governing the illegal export of defense articles. “Even if he believes he is acting out of self‑preservation, the unauthorized release of classified intelligence is a grave offense,” noted Professor Elena Martinez, a specialist in international security law at Georgetown University.

The episode also shines a light on the broader tensions that have been simmering between Washington and Riyadh. While the two nations have long cooperated on counter‑terrorism, energy security, and regional stability, recent disputes over human‑rights concerns, the war in Yemen, and divergent geopolitical calculations have strained the partnership. Al‑Jabri’s alleged leaks could further complicate diplomatic efforts, especially as the United States seeks to balance its strategic interests in the Gulf with growing domestic scrutiny of Saudi policies.

As the investigations continue, both governments appear to be treading carefully. Saudi officials have warned that any foreign interference in their internal legal proceedings will be met with “firm and decisive” action, while U.S. authorities have signaled a willingness to prosecute any individuals—American or foreign—who compromise national security.

The unfolding saga underscores the delicate interplay of personal ambition, geopolitical rivalry, and the ever‑present danger of classified information falling into the wrong hands. Whether Al‑Jabri’s gamble will secure him protection or land him in prison remains to be seen, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly secret intelligence can become a public bargaining chip.