Money was first needed for oil cooperation, but after the OPEC oil crisis of the 1970s geopolitical stability revolved around who has the oil, who was willing to buy it, and how much they’re willing to pay. In fact, the last half-century has shown an almost absurd willingness on the part of the US to absolve and ignore any crimes committed by autocratic the House of Saud.
This relationship has consistently undermined US claims of moral authority in both the region and on the world stage. Washington’s cries for democratisation and free markets have sounded hollow to those on the street when a key ally is a Sharia Law-based absolute monarchy who, until recently, barred women from being able to drive or leave the house with having a male chaperone, let alone vote.
Full article available: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/trump-and-the-saudis/