WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: * * * U.S., Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties Through State Partnership Program * Saudi Arabia expanded its strategic ties with the United States by formally joining the Defense Department National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program during a ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. Military leaders from both nations signed a declaration to integrate Saudi Arabia into the SPP, aligning the Saudi Arabian arme more PR