- Ortadoğu Etütleri
- Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2
- The Saudi-U.S. Alliance and the Modern Middle East: An Oil-dependent Alliance since the 1930s
The Saudi-U.S. Alliance and the Modern Middle East: An Oil-dependent Alliance since the 1930s
Authors : Usman Abass
Pages : 13-40
Doi:10.47932/ortetut.1713795
View : 133 | Download : 398
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Saudi Arabia is an important U.S. ally in the Middle East. The origin of this alliance hinged on the discovery of oil in the kingdom in 1933 by an American company, Standard Oil of California. The oil-alliance transmuted into an “oil for security” alliance from the 1950s onwards. Through this alliance, the U.S. became a major political player in the region, while Saudi Arabia used its commodity to exert political influence in the region. Although Kings Abdul Aziz and Faisal were able to use oil to exert pressure on U.S. policies on Israel in the region, later Arab leaders have failed to emulate the same. The paper found that current Arab leaders tend to pursue policies that do not conflict with U.S. interests in the region. Hence, it remains to be seen to what extent Saudi Arabia will use its leadership to liberate Arab countries in the region from the yoke of Israeli atrocities. The paper used a qualitative research method through the lens of historical study and relied on secondary sources to map the origin and changes in the Saudi-U.S. alliance since the 1930s.Keywords : Suudi Arabistan, ABD, Petrol, Orta Doğu, Petrodolarlar, Güvenlik
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