Strains steadily fray US, Saudi ties

[Jefferson23]

By Jim Lobe

WASHINGTON - Accumulating strains between the United States and Saudi Arabia are steadily weakening one of the world's longest-lasting and most effective bilateral alliances, according to observers here.

The latest point of contention - Washington's opposition to this month's anticipated bid by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for statehood - is only one of a number of issues, ranging from how to react to the Arab Spring to the price of oil, that threaten the relationship.

"We're seeing an increasingly transactional relationship," according to former ambassador Chas Freeman, who served as Washington's top diplomat in Riyadh during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s.


Washington has been losing credibility with the Saudis since even before the 9/11 attacks when Israel ignored president George W Bush's pleas to ease its repression during the second Palestinian intifada, Freeman noted. He spoke at a forum on US-Saudi relations here on Monday co-sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Dubai-based Gulf Research Center (GRC).

Professor Gregory Gause, a prominent Saudi expert at the University of Vermont, agreed. "The relationship is now based more on common interests than on a shared worldview," he said. "What keeps it together is the lack of an alternative."

in full: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MI16Ak01.html

[izquierdista]

1. Good

Maybe if it gets frayed enough, that boat anchor will drop of its own accord.

[Jefferson23]

3. Well, it could be repaired. Saudi government does not have much

choice to ignore the U.S.'s continued support of the status quo with Israel on this issue..their citizens
will not appreciate it. Also, it is important to recognize that the Saudis have been funneling money
to Egypt, they do not appreciate the Arab Spring...there is more than one agenda in place.

[bemildred]

2. Can this marriage be saved?

"You don't call, you don't write, ..."