International
security/ Medieval regime and outpost of democracy
Almost a decade ago, an
Arab diplomat famously likened
the relationship between the
United States and Saudi Arabia to a Catholic marriage “where you can
have no divorce.”
But there can be estrangement. As the
Obama administration begins the arduous task of assessing the newly
reconstituted House of Saud after the death of King Abdullah on Friday, the relationship between
the United States and its most important Arab ally, one fostered with great
care and attention to detail over the years, is at a critical and tumultuous
point.
Saudi Arabia’s new king, Salman, 79, inherits both the policies
put in place by the more assertive brother he is succeeding and the conflicts
that in recent years have characterized relations with Washington.
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