Saudi Arabia takes tentative steps to ease tensions with the US
America
and Saudi Arabia have been allies since the kingdom was formed in 1932.
The relationship is mutually beneficial, giving Riyadh the protection
of a powerful western military, and ensuring secure oil supplies for
Washington. Despite periods of increased tension over the years, this
alliance has remained more or less unbroken.
In recent months, the Saudi-US relationship has been under scrutiny.
The key issue here is Syria. Saudi Arabia has been backing the Sunni
rebels, and feels that the US has not done enough to tip the balance of
the civil war, which has killed well over 100,000 people. In particular,
it disapproved of the American decision not to carry out airstrikes on
Syria. The US, meanwhile, is concerned that the Saudi government is not
doing enough to counter extremism in the ranks of the Syrian rebels. Add
to this tension over the US diplomatic softening towards Iran - Saudi's
archrival in the region - and it is easy to see why the relationship is
under strain.
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