A Crude Friendship: Saudi-American Relations

Background

Since the early 1940's the United States and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a cordial relationship. Coincidentally enough, in 1936 Saudi Arabia discovered its vast oil resources that now make up 90% of the country’s exports. Over time, these two countries have developed their political alliances on the foundations of their trade relationship. In 2008 the U.S. imported almost $50 billion dollars worth of goods from Saudi Arabia and exported only $10 billion in return. The U.S. could be considered shallow in its way of picking friends who are naturally “endowed”.


Crude Contradictions

At a glance, the facts seem to contradict a possible courtship between the two countries. For one, Saudi Arabia is still condemned for its conservative treatment of women resulting in “gender apartheid.” The country is also accused of cruel punishments involving limb amputations that make lethal injections pale in comparison. Second, 15 of the suicide bombers responsible for the 9/11 attacks turned out to be Saudi Arabian nationalists. If Saudi Arabia lacked its oil resources, the United States would hold a more critical political position against Saudi Arabia. The reoccurring theme persists: the business agenda guides the political agenda. By investing in cleaner alternative energy, the United States could decrease our dependence of foreign oil. This independence would then allow us to press for human rights without the crude contradictions.