Why are the US and Saudi Arabia allies?

[Chips]

On the surface, it feels like the United States and Saudi Arabia should be enemies. Osama was Saudi, 15 or the 19 hijackers of the planes used in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi, Saudi Arabia is not known for having a very democratic government, in fact it's known as one of the worst countries in terms of women's rights. A 2013 poll even concluded that 57% of Americans had an unfavorable view of the country.

Why then are the US and Saudi Arabia actually close allies? Why did we spare Saudi Arabia (which seemed to have it's hands all over 9/11) and go after Afghanistan and Iraq instead? (The latter of which had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11) Why do we condemn most leaders for potential human rights abuses but stay quiet about Saudi Arabia?

I saw a question by the name of "Why do we care so much about Israel" I decided to follow up on that by asking why are we allies with Saudi Arabia.

I think the US/Saudi partnership has something to do with dat oil but I want to know what you think.

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Two reasons:

1.) Cheap crude oil
2.) Mutual despise of Iran

[Red Velvet]

Main reason for almost everything in this world is Money. If people are doing something you don’t understand, it’s probably because it’s more lucrative to do so.

Saudi Arabia bows down to the US in so many ways, not only in regards political allignement but economic. They have huge reserves of oil, being a world reference on that, while historically pricing it only on US dollars, elevating the currency status and relevance.

In exchange for the subservience, US gives a blind eye to the fact it’s one of bloodiest dictatorships in the world and that doesn’t need democracy to be brought upon them lol.M

Do you think Saudi Arabia likes Israel for example? Or they just tend to become more quiet about their dislike and more neutral as time passes in order to please external interests and be in good terms with the US?

That’s why there isn’t pressure about major political stances of the Saudis, because that authoritarian regime is positive to US interests. The most pressure you can see is for slow “liberalization” (ex: more opening to female basic rights) pushed by the US in order for that alliance not ruin their reputation when it comes as the “pinacle of freedom exporting it to other places”.

Because it becomes an argument whenever the US position themselves against any other minor authoritarian country that isn’t even in the same level of Saudi Arabia using the same argument that it is for the sake of their people’s freedom and “for their own good”. Gives opening for people to question that authority of the US to dictate what is freedom and what isn’t: “But don’t you support Saudi Arabia? Then who are you to say who would be a better leader for Libya/Venezuela/Iran/etc?”

Look for the changes Saudis recently made in order to please the West and protect their regime. Neither Saudi Arabia or the United States care about that stuff, but you gotta maintain the appearances. And currently the relationship is mutually beneficial for both.

If Saudi Arabia ever rebelled against the empire like Iran or so, I don’t think they would have the resilience of blacklisted Iranians, for example. Because it’s far more easy for the western media to paint the Saudis as “evil enemies of liberal values” for all the reasons you already mentioned from the 9/11 to strong laws restricting individual freedoms.

History is also decisive. Look at the Cold War to have an idea. Saudi Arabia was aligned with the capitalist bloc, while Iran was aligned with the socialist one. A lot of the Saudi Arabia vs Iran rivalry is projected into western people’s minds not even being about the Middle East and its background, but as a proxy war between US vs USSR. So there’s also pride involved.

So, I would guess as main reasons:

1. Tons of Oil involved + Saudi Arabia economics being friendly and positive to US interests
2. Saudi Arabia subservience in regards regional politics of the Middle East
3. Historical ties from Cold War, in which Saudi Arabia was part of anti-communist bloc

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Aramco, when was originally a way for the Americans and the Saudis to give the British a one fingered salute. Old habits die hard, but luckily for the Saudis the habit of Saudi-American friendship didn't die before the Iranians could replace the British as a mutual boogeyman.

[Statilius the Epicurean]

They both hate Iran
They both hate ISIS and Al Qaeda
They're both pro-Israel

Not really difficult is it.

[Meclazine for Israel]

One has oil.
One has military technology.

Deal of the Century.

[Santander]

The cornerstone of the Saudi-American alliance is stabilizing oil prices and supply. If Venuezuela were just another basketcase country, and didn't have the largest oil reserves in the world, the US wouldn't be getting itself so entangled in its affairs either.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

The brand of Islamism sponsored by Saudi Arabia is relatively "safe", off-shoots aside - ultra-conservative yet pliant and obsequious in the face of authority. This is in contrast to the "dangerous" forces that arranged from MENA, Arab Nationalism and the Muslim Brotherhood, both of which indulge(d) in themes of social justice and fights against the elite.

[President Johnson]

They both hate Iran
They both hate ISIS and Al Qaeda
They're both pro-Israel

Not really difficult is it.

I wouldn't say so. Saudi Arabia and Israel don't even have official relations and Saudi Arabia is certainly not pro-Israel just because the Saud family isn't threatening to wipe the country off the map.

I agree with most other points made in the thread.

[Santander]

They both hate Iran
They both hate ISIS and Al Qaeda
They're both pro-Israel

Not really difficult is it.

I wouldn't say so. Saudi Arabia and Israel don't even have official relations and Saudi Arabia is certainly not pro-Israel just because the Saud family isn't threatening to wipe the country off the map.

I agree with most other points made in the thread.

Saudi Arabia cannot be too openly chummy with Israel, as their guardianship over Mecca and Medina is one of the two main sources of their power and legitimacy. (the other, of course, being oil) But their mutual hatred of Iran has brought them pretty close together.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

They both hate Iran
They both hate ISIS and Al Qaeda
They're both pro-Israel

Not really difficult is it.

I wouldn't say so. Saudi Arabia and Israel don't even have official relations and Saudi Arabia is certainly not pro-Israel just because the Saud family isn't threatening to wipe the country off the map.

I agree with most other points made in the thread.

SA & Israel are absolutely allies, the SA government can't be open about it because the SA public is so anti-Israel.

[The Mikado]

Surprised "Inertia" and "Force of habit" haven't been listed because they're more explanatory reasons than anything else mentioned above.

We're allies with KSA because FDR was allies with ibn Saud 80 years ago.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Surprised "Inertia" and "Force of habit" haven't been listed because they're more explanatory reasons than anything else mentioned above.

We're allies with KSA because FDR was allies with ibn Saud 80 years ago.

Aramco, when was originally a way for the Americans and the Saudis to give the British a one fingered salute. Old habits die hard, but luckily for the Saudis the habit of Saudi-American friendship didn't die before the Iranians could replace the British as a mutual boogeyman.

[Beet]

American oil companies built modern Saudi Arabia.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Besides the obvious + inertia...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Doctrine

[Senator-elect Spark]

Muh oil and Saudi Arabia tends to serve as a counterbalance in the region to Iran, who hates Israel.