The relationship between the two big economies, United States and Saudi Arabia, could be seen as a series of events that influenced their relations ranging from multiplex ties of friendship to the verge of disagreements. Despite being close friends, there have been conflicts and tensions between the two countries on a variety of political, economic, and social issues which may historically always have a long-lasting effect on the US-KSA relations.
The tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1933, the United States recognized the sovereignty of the newly formed Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and established diplomatic relations. However, the relationship was strained from the start due to a number of factors, including differences in political systems and religious beliefs. Over the years, the United States has frequently criticized the Saudi government for its human rights record and its strict interpretation of Islam, while the Saudis have been resentful of American interference in their domestic affairs.
One of the key sources of tension between the two nations is the issue of oil. The United States has long been dependent on Saudi oil, and the two nations have had a complex and often contentious relationship over the control and distribution of this valuable resource. The United States has been critical of Saudi Arabia’s production policies, arguing that the country has not done enough to increase production to meet the growing demand for oil. In turn, the Saudis have been frustrated by the American tendency to intervene in the Middle East, often at the expense of the country’s stability. This led to a Petro-dollar war, creating tensions between the two countries.
Another source of tension is the issue of terrorism. The United States has accused the Saudi government of not doing enough to combat terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The United States has also been critical of Saudi Arabia’s support for groups that promote extremism, and the country’s failure to crack down on the financing of terrorism. Meanwhile, the Saudis have accused the United States of not doing enough to combat terrorism, and have been frustrated by American support for Israel and its perceived anti-Islamic policies.
The issue of human rights has also been a major source of tension between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The United States has been critical of the Saudi government’s strict interpretation of Islam and its treatment of women, religious minorities, and political dissidents. The Saudi government, in turn, has been resentful of American interference in its domestic affairs and its perceived disregard for the country’s religious and cultural traditions.
In recent years, tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia have been exacerbated by the changing political landscape in the Middle East. The Arab Spring uprisings, the Syrian Civil War, and the rise of Iran have all had a profound impact on the region, and have strained the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The United States has been criticized for its handling of the Arab Spring, and for its support for rebels in the Syrian Civil War, which the Saudis see as a threat to their own stability. Meanwhile, the Saudis have been frustrated by the Obama administration’s attempts to negotiate with Iran, and by its perceived willingness to allow Iran to become a major player in the region.
One of the most significant of these events was the September 11th attacks, which brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of American foreign policy. The attacks, which were carried out by a group of terrorists with ties to Saudi Arabia, led to increased scrutiny of the country’s policies and its support for extremist groups. This scrutiny was compounded by revelations that the 9/11 Commission Report found that the Saudi government had provided financial and logistical support to the Al-Qaeda group. American politicians and media have accused the Saudi government of supporting terrorism and tolerating a jihadist culture, noting that Osama bin Laden and fifteen out of the nineteen (or 78 percent of) 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. This led to distressed diplomatic relations of dishonesty and mistrust between the both countries.
In recent years, the relationship between the two countries has been further strained by the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the detention and alleged torture of Saudi political dissidents. The United States has also expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in the war in Yemen. By 16 November 2018, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had concluded that Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination. Controversy over the murder has created tensions between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, including calls for the U.S. to sever diplomatic ties with the kingdom.
In conclusion, the history of tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia is long and complex, and is rooted in a number of political, economic, and social issues. These issues not only comprise oil production but also a lot other factors that lead to the mistrust being developed in the both countries. Both have been critical of each other’s policies, and have frequently disagreed over issues such as oil, terrorism, human rights, and the changing political landscape in the Middle East. Hence, it seems pertinent to assume that Oil Production is not the only factor that caused mistress, there are plenty other reasons that lead to the tension being created between the countries.
Despite these tensions, however, the relationship between the two nations should remain strong, and both nations should continue to work together to address the challenges as the coordination between the both countries have a global impact on the world and countries across the globe. This could be done through further negotiations and mutually accepting each other’s interests while making new policies and the impact of those policies to the rest world. This would ultimately pave the path for prosperity and development in the region.
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