The Evolving U.S.- Saudi Relationship

President Barack Obama (R) meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington June 29, 2010. REUTERS/Larry Downing

U.S.-Saudi Ties Tested by Middle East Upheaval -- Brian Katulis, World Politics Review

The decades-long relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has faced major challenges since the start of the Middle East upheavals in 2011. The past few months have produced new tactical strains in the bilateral relationship: Ongoing political changes in Egypt, Syria’s civil war and the possibility of new attempts at diplomatic engagement with Iran have all brought to the surface divisions between Washington and Riyadh. The United States and Saudi Arabia continue to share several common strategic interests, including regional security cooperation in dealing with threats from Iran and al-Qaida affiliates, but how the two countries work together to navigate the complicated forces reshaping the Middle East in the coming months will help define their future state of relations.

This November marks 80 years since the United States and Saudi Arabia first established diplomatic relations. Oil was the initial foundation for this relationship, and Saudi Arabia’s importance as the largest oil producer in the world has been an enduring factor in the relationship. For decades, the United States has made considerable investments, in the form of security efforts aimed at stabilizing the region, to ensure the free flow of oil.

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My Comment: The Saudis are now building up a long list of reasons on why they no longer trust this White house. The fall of their ally Mubarak in Egypt and U.S. lack of support in backing him was their first disagreement .... followed by U.S. criticism when the Saudis supported the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood. The failure of the U.S. to respect and act on their own "red line" in Syria certainly raised concerns. And now a possible U.S. rapprochement with Iran .... their Shiite enemy .... occurring with no consultation must be particularly shocking. As a result .... the Saudi are now possibly re-evaluating their relationship with the U.S. .... and with their stranglehold on oil markets, this should be of particular concern to all of us.