Impact of September 11 on the United States foreign policy in Saudi Arabia. (c2005)

Abstract

Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by the Sa'ud dynasty, enjoys a special importance in much of the international community because of its unique association with the Islamic religion and its oil wealth. Saudi Arabia also enjoys long-standing economic and defense ties with the United States. It has been a close ally, friend and business partner of America for more than sixty years. However, the events of September 11 affected US. Saudi relations and marked a turning point in US. foreign policy toward the Kingdom especially that 15 out of the 19 hijackers who committed 9111 were Saudi nationals. This thesis explores the change in the United States foreign policy following the events of 9/11 and the impact of this change on Saudi Arabia. Chapter one is an introduction about the importance of the kingdom to the United States and the political system of the kingdom and that of the United States; chapter two will discuss the common interests between U.S. and Saudi Arabia; while chapter three will deal with the history of the US. Saudi relationship from the 1970's until the beginning of the 21st century. Chapter four is an overview of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East which is considered to be the main cause behind 9111.Chapter five discusses the effect of9111 which is the change in US. foreign policy from preserving the status quo to the aim for change; as for chapter six, it will deal with the impact of the new U.S. foreign policy on Saudi Arabia. Chapter seven addresses the reaction of Saudi Arabia to the new foreign policy of America by mentioning the reform steps taken by the Kingdom. Finally, chapter eight which is a conclusion will discuss the findings of this research stating that no matter how US. And Saudi Arabia are different, they still need and complement one another. However, the change in U.S. foreign policy after 9111 proves the need for Saudi Arabia to undertake major steps in political social and economic reform so that its relation with the U.S. continues peacefully and successfully. On the other hand, U.S. must not impose reform on the Kingdom in order to avoid negative outcomes resulting from their differences.