The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America share a deep-rooted strategic relationship spanning more than nine decades, evolving from a partnership based on energy and security to a multifaceted alliance encompassing political, economic, cultural, and military spheres. This historic relationship has witnessed significant leaps forward, propelling it to a distinct and exceptional level, particularly in light of the regional transformations underway in the Middle East and the global changes sweeping the world.
Historical context: From oil for security to comprehensive partnership
The formal beginnings of this relationship date back to the 1930s with the start of oil exploration, but the foundational moment that shaped the partnership for decades to come was the historic meeting between the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud and US President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945 aboard the USS Quincy. This meeting established the principle of “oil for security,” which became the cornerstone of bilateral relations. The Kingdom guaranteed energy supplies to the United States and its allies in exchange for Washington providing a security umbrella to protect the Kingdom’s stability and interests. Over the years, the relationship has not been limited to this principle but has expanded to include close cooperation in other vital areas, most notably security and intelligence coordination to combat terrorism, especially after the events of September 11.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Recent years have witnessed significant leaps forward, propelling the relationship to a new level, driven by the major transformations occurring in the region and the world, as well as the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This ambitious vision, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has opened new horizons for cooperation beyond oil, encompassing promising sectors such as technology, renewable energy, tourism, and entertainment, thus creating substantial investment opportunities for American companies. In this context, the relationship has experienced renewed momentum, with successive US administrations seeking to strengthen the partnership to address shared challenges, most notably ensuring the stability of global energy markets and countering regional threats. Any development in this relationship, such as the signing of defense or investment agreements, has a direct impact not only on the two countries but also on the stability of the entire region, given the political and economic weight of Riyadh and Washington.
A partnership for the future based on mutual interests
Today, the Saudi-American partnership stands as a model of strategic cooperation built on mutual interests and respect. As the Crown Prince has emphasized on numerous occasions, meeting the Kingdom's defense and economic needs is the foundation of this partnership, not a means to appease any other party. The United States views the Kingdom not only as a reliable strategic ally but also as a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East and the Muslim world. Despite challenges and occasional differences in viewpoints, the depth of shared interests ensures the continuity of this historic relationship and its ability to adapt to future demands.
