Policy Brief: RECALIBRATING U.S.-SAUDI RELATIONS
23 June 2021
Washington DC – The Institute for Gulf affairs is releasing its policy paper on recalibrating US Saudi relations. President Biden’s call for a full review of U.S.-Saudi relations is the single most consequential act by the U.S. Government regarding this core alliance in the past thirty years. The timing is significant, and many Congressional Republicans as well as Democrats are ready to re-evaluate U.S. interests and recalibrate the terms on which Washington engages Riyadh.
There can be no reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, nor can this travesty be swept under the rug. While this crime helps focus public attention, the pitfalls and challenges in the U.S.-Saudi bilateral relationship run much deeper and cover a much wider range of issues.
Addressing Saudi shortcomings piecemeal is a recipe for perpetuating the greatest weaknesses and liabilities in that system, to the detriment of U.S. interests in the Kingdom and across the region. It is important to recognize that effectively there is no rule of law in Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince has uncontested authority over the judicial system, as evidenced by his calculated release of dissidents – including U.S. citizens – whose only crime was exercising their fundamental freedom of expression. Mass executing protesters, detaining foreign leaders or imprisoning Saudi billionaires and political rivals without due process or accountability are not the hallmark of genuine reforms.
Saudi Arabia has long been devoid of almost any freedom – political, economic, or religious – and this has always been the Achilles heel in what needs to be a strong and stable bilateral relationship. Under the de facto rule of MBS, these injustices have grown even more severe. Where there used to be multiple gateways for American diplomats, investors and CEOs, there is now only one point of contact and power center in Saudi Arabia, which is to the detriment of both countries.
Full paper HERE
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