Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations

Publication Date: April 2009

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Coverage: Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by the Saud dynasty, enjoys special importance in much of the international community because of its unique association with the Islamic religion and its oil wealth. The United States and Saudi Arabia have longstanding economic and defense ties. A series of informal agreements, statements by successive U.S. administrations, and military deployments have demonstrated a strong U.S. security commitment to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was a key member of the allied coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991. Saudi Arabia subsequently hosted U.S. aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. Saudi officials expressed opposition to the U.S.-led military campaign launched against Iraq in March 2003 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), although Saudi Arabia reportedly permitted certain support operations by U.S. and British military forces, in addition to making some facilities available to them. By mutual agreement, the United States withdrew virtually all its forces from Saudi Arabia at the end of August 2003.

Bombing attacks against several U.S. and foreign operated installations in Saudi Arabia have raised some concerns about security of U.S. citizens and what appears to be growing anti-Americanism in some segments of the Saudi population. Since the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, some commentators have maintained that Saudi domestic and foreign policies have created a climate that may contribute to terrorist acts by Islamic radicals. U.S. officials have accepted Saudi support in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks and attacks since 2003 in Saudi Arabia, including increased intelligence sharing, law enforcement activities, and tracking of terrorist financing.

In its final report, released on July 23, 2004, the U.S. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission) described Saudi Arabia as having been "a problematic ally in combating Islamic extremism," while noting that Saudi cooperation has improved, especially since further terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia beginning in May 2003. The United States and Saudi Arabia initiated a strategic dialogue in 2005 that brings high-level officials together semiannually to discuss cooperation in six key areas: counterterrorism, military affairs, energy, business, education and human development, and consular affairs.

Principal issues likely to continue to be of bilateral interest during the 110th Congress include conflict and sectarian violence in Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, the Saudi position on the Arab-Israeli conflict, arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, Saudi external aid programs, bilateral trade relationships and oil production, and Saudi policies on human rights and democracy. In the 110th Congress, H.R. 1 (Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007) would require the Administration to report on the status of its strategic dialogue initiative with Saudi Arabia, including progress in counterterrorism cooperation and reform efforts. The Administration is requesting $15,000 in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding and $100,000 in anti-terrorism assistance (NADR-ATA) for Saudi Arabia for FY2008. This CRS report will be updated as circumstances warrant.