An investigation into the basis for the US-Saudi relationship since the end of the Cold War, which argues that counterterrorism and regional containment of Iran have displaced the oil for security paradigm as the dominant explanatory models for the persistence of strong ties between the two countries.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical Background
3. The Puzzle: What Explains the Strange Alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia
4. The Iranian Threat: Cutting off the Head of the Snake
5. With Us and Against Us: Counterrorism
6. Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This paper aims to explain the resilient and complex strategic alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia in the post-Cold War era, challenging the traditional "oil for security" paradigm by emphasizing shared regional security interests.
- Evolution of the US-Saudi relationship after the Cold War
- Critique of the traditional "oil for security" explanatory model
- The role of shared strategic interests regarding Iran
- Strategic cooperation in counterterrorism efforts
- Impact of the Arab Spring and regional instability on the alliance
Excerpt from the Book
The Puzzle: What Explains the Strange Alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia
Both in terms of the internal makeup of state institutions and the underlying source of the state’s legitimacy, the juxtaposition between United States and Saudi Arabia could hardly be any starker. While the US is, by all accounts, a liberal democracy, the Saudi Arabian state is best described as one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world. This has implications both for the way Saudi Arabia acts internally and externally as well as the conduct of US foreign policy.
According to Human Rights Watch, an NGO, Saudi Arabia “criminalize[s] the exercise of basic human rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association (World Report, 2012: 1). Moreover, women’s and minority rights are severely limited (Ibid). Khabir notes “secret trials, amputations, executions, and torture of prisoners” (2000: 1251). The US Department of State itself has reported concerns over violations of basic human rights in Saudi Arabia (February 25, 2009). Thus, taking this evaluation of the state of human rights in Saudi Arabia into account, there should at least be some indication towards extensive tensions between the US and the Kingdom. However, these have in general failed to materialize.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the puzzling nature of the US-Saudi relationship, characterized by conflicting values and strategic cooperation, and establishes the paper's focus on the post-Cold War era.
2. Historical Background: This section provides context on US foreign policy objectives in the Middle East before 1990, focusing on territorial stability, oil access, and Cold War containment.
3. The Puzzle: What Explains the Strange Alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia: This chapter analyzes the deep ideological and political differences between the two nations and notes the failure of issues like human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to derail their alliance.
4. The Iranian Threat: Cutting off the Head of the Snake: This section details how a shared perception of Iran as a regional threat has become a primary driver for strategic cooperation between the US and Saudi Arabia.
5. With Us and Against Us: Counterrorism: This chapter discusses how cooperation on counterterrorism, despite initial tensions, has evolved into a vital pillar of the modern US-Saudi strategic partnership.
6. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that while oil remains relevant, the relationship is now primarily sustained by shared security concerns regarding terrorism and Iranian regional influence.
Keywords
United States, Saudi Arabia, Foreign Policy, Oil for Security, Iran, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Cold War, Strategic Alliance, Regional Stability, Human Rights, Arab Spring, Geopolitics, National Security, Diplomacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, questioning why this alliance remains strong despite significant political, ideological, and social differences.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the limitations of the "oil for security" model, the role of shared threat assessments regarding Iran, and the evolution of counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations.
What is the central research question?
The author seeks to identify the factors that explain the resilience of the US-Saudi relationship in the post-Cold War period, particularly when traditional explanations like oil dependency are insufficient.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis based on secondary literature and policy reports to re-evaluate the determinants of US foreign policy towards Saudi Arabia.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main part analyzes the historical background, the inherent contradictions of the alliance, the shift in strategic focus toward containing Iranian influence, and the importance of joint counterterrorism measures.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The paper is best defined by terms such as US-Saudi relations, Middle East geopolitics, counterterrorism, Iranian threat, and strategic alliance.
How has the importance of oil as a factor changed in the relationship?
The author argues that while oil was once the dominant pillar of the alliance, it no longer adequately explains the strength of the relationship, as the US has diversified its interests and reduced its reliance on Saudi oil.
How does the author interpret the impact of the Arab Spring on the alliance?
The author views the Arab Spring as a dynamic that has intensified common concerns, particularly regarding regional instability and the influence of actors like Iran, thereby reinforcing the need for continued cooperation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tim Pfefferle (Autor:in), 2012, The United States and Saudi Arabia – Explaining the Strange Relationship after the End of the Cold War, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/205797
