Post 9/11 Saudi-American Relations

Oil – Still important, but the game is changing.  Saudi has market opportunities in China now.  No longer will they need to rely as heavily on US markets.  While the option exists to place an embargo or at least severely limit sales to the US, it’s still not in the interest of Saudi or China, for that matter.  Such an action could serve to further de-stabilize the Middle East as the US is the one providing the most duct tape and spit to keep it from falling apart.  The US may lose some sway over the kingdom given their market diversification, but a global interest by their new partners will serve American interests as well.

Defense Relationship/Location – We’re still the biggest bad-ass on the planet.  That, plus Saudi needs our influence in stabilizing Iraq and keeping Iran on a short leash.  That means they’ll want to preserve a strategic relationship that allows us use of their land and airspace to keep things in order.  Unfortunately, the kingdom’s relationship with China and Russia means different options for defense articles.  And China, more than likely, will have fewer restrictions in selling sophisticated weaponry to the Saudis.  Something the US will have to keep a close eye on.

Religion – Our mutual interest in defeating communism has led directly to the Islamic radicals that terrorize Western civilization today.  This is the tough part.  The US, once complicit in Saudi Arabia’s support/funding of religious radicals during the Cold War, now stands starkly against the very same actions.  Saudi Arabia has made commendable strides in working with the US to root out local terrorist organizations and its militants, but the tough part is re-directing a religious message they’ve supported for more than a half-century.  The US must get Saudi to use their pulpits from Mecca and Medina to preach a positive, proactive message in promoting Islam.  Additionally, Saudi Arabia must increase vigilance in tracking what their money funds and supports.  For the US’s part, we must accomplish our goal of a stable Iraq.  Furthermore, we have to broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians to help neutralize toxic anti-Americanism in this region.  

All of this will take time and patience, neither of which is in great supply given the current global environment as it pertains to terrorism.  Failure in accomplishing this reform will certainly lead to a very dangerous and grim future. 

(Source: Thicker Than Oil by Rachel Bronson)