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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Saudi Arabia takes tentative steps to ease tensions with the US

Saudi Arabia takes tentative steps to ease tensions with the US

Saudi Arabian flag
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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