Saudi Arabia Reject US Military Treaty and Join Iran: What's Going On?

Summary

The video examines the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, focusing on the March 2023 rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediated by China. The evolving Saudi-Iranian relationship is reshaping regional politics, as Saudi Arabia seeks to balance its alliance with the US and its growing ties with Iran. Key developments include Saudi Arabia's pursuit of economic diversification under Vision 2030, the abandonment of a comprehensive defense treaty with the US, and strategic discussions around normalizing relations with Israel. The video also explores the implications for regional stability, trade, and the broader power dynamics between global and regional actors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Saudi Arabia and Iran's rivalry is shifting after the 2023 Beijing Agreement, which was mediated by China to de-escalate tensions.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia is balancing its long-standing alliance with the U.S. and its growing ties with Iran, reflecting a recalibration of its foreign policy.
• 😀 Despite ongoing sanctions, Saudi Arabia is pursuing trade with Iran in sectors like food and medical products, with the involvement of private companies and third-party countries.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia has abandoned its pursuit of a defense treaty with the U.S. due to the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and rising public anger in the Middle East.
• 😀 The U.S.-Saudi relationship began in the early 20th century, with oil being the cornerstone of the partnership, especially after the discovery of oil in 1938.
• 😀 The Quincy Agreement of 1945 laid the foundation for U.S.-Saudi relations, ensuring U.S. access to Saudi oil in exchange for defending the kingdom's sovereignty.
• 😀 Despite tensions such as the 1973 oil embargo and Saudi concerns over the U.S. involvement in Israel, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia maintained their strategic alliance throughout the Cold War.
• 😀 The U.S.-Saudi relationship faced strain after the 9/11 attacks but recovered as both nations cooperated on counterterrorism efforts, leading to continued arms sales.
• 😀 Under the Biden Administration, U.S.-Saudi relations have fluctuated, with tensions over human rights issues, but mutual interests in energy, security, and regional stability have kept ties intact.
• 😀 The U.S. has actively pursued the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023 has complicated these efforts.
• 😀 Saudi Arabia's ties with Iran are evolving into a pragmatic, issue-driven partnership, with potential cooperation in sectors like energy and infrastructure development, while balancing relations with the U.S.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Saudi-Iran rapprochement in March 2023?

The Saudi-Iran rapprochement in March 2023, mediated by China, marked a pivotal shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. It was aimed at de-escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had historically been rivals, and paved the way for closer economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

How did China contribute to the Saudi-Iran rapprochement?

China played a key role by mediating the 2023 Saudi-Iran rapprochement. As a major oil purchaser from both nations, China encouraged deeper economic and political cooperation, leveraging its influence to help reduce regional tensions.

Why did Saudi Arabia abandon its pursuit of a defense treaty with the United States?

Saudi Arabia abandoned its pursuit of a comprehensive defense treaty with the United States primarily due to the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which led to public anger across the Middle East. This decision also reflected Saudi Arabia's desire to support the broader region rather than align with US policies.

What historical events laid the foundation for the US-Saudi relationship?

The foundation of the US-Saudi relationship was laid with the recognition of Saudi Arabia in 1931 and the subsequent discovery of oil in the Kingdom. The strategic partnership was solidified during World War II with the Quincy Agreement, which ensured US defense of Saudi Arabia in exchange for access to its oil resources.

How did the 1973 oil embargo affect US-Saudi relations?

The 1973 oil embargo, imposed by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations in response to US support for Israel, strained US-Saudi relations by triggering a global energy crisis. The embargo underscored Saudi Arabia's geopolitical leverage as an oil supplier, though the two countries later managed to rebuild their partnership.

What was the impact of the 1990 Gulf War on US-Saudi relations?

The 1990 Gulf War strengthened US-Saudi relations as Saudi Arabia sought US military assistance to repel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The US deployment of over 500,000 troops to Saudi Arabia marked a significant military alliance, and key military facilities in Saudi Arabia became central to US operations in the region.

How did the 9/11 attacks affect US-Saudi relations?

The 9/11 attacks strained US-Saudi relations due to the revelation that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals. This led to heightened scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's role in promoting extremist ideologies. However, Saudi Arabia intensified counterterrorism efforts, cooperating with US intelligence agencies to dismantle terrorist networks.

What role did the US play in the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel?

The United States played an active role in pursuing the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, particularly under the Biden Administration. US efforts included offering security guarantees and assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program for Saudi Arabia, although Saudi Arabia remained cautious, linking normalization to Palestinian statehood.

What were the challenges in US-Saudi-Israeli normalization efforts?

The challenges included Saudi Arabia's historical position on Palestinian statehood, which it tied to normalization with Israel. The outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas in 2023 further complicated these efforts, leading Saudi Arabia to suspend normalization talks, as the Palestinian issue regained prominence.

What factors could determine the success of the Saudi-Iran partnership moving forward?

The success of the Saudi-Iran partnership will depend on mutual restraint in regional conflicts, economic cooperation (especially in sectors like energy and infrastructure), and efforts to manage proxy dynamics. Both countries share an interest in regional stability, but their long-standing ideological differences and external pressures could complicate their collaboration.