Abstract:
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is crucial
to understanding the current state of play in the Middle East. Yet the dynamics
of the relationship itself are far more difficult and contested. While liberal
international relations theorists see the relationship as fraught largely
economic, a realist theory demonstrates that the perseverance of the
relationship rests on mutual interests rooted in the desire to maintain the status
quo. By analyzing the historical development of the Saudi-US relationship, this
thesis shows how the realist perspective can be used to provide an insightful
analysis into the history of relations between Saudi Arabia and the US. Using
a comparative historical perspective, the thesis unravels that interests and
ideology are not necessarily complementary. Since 9/11, there have been
significant ideological divergences in perceived interests on both sides, yet
long term economic and security interests prevailed. The significance behind
this finding lies in the fact that while President Donald Trump is in the White
House while Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman in control of Saudi foreign
policy, the relationship between both countries has been consolidated in a
realist framework. Thus, understanding the dynamics from a realist
perspective that have underpinned the relationship in recent years is crucial to
the framing of both countries foreign policy outlooks.
