Pariah or Partner: The Shifting US-Saudi Arabia Relationship
![Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman](/themes/custom/ccga/frontend/static-html/images/placeholder.png)
About the Episode
Joe Biden is currently on his first trip to the Middle East as President, which will include a controversial meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the campaign trail, Biden pledged to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah”, but with gas prices punishing American consumers, and Russia and China court Riyadh, Biden’s tone and policy toward the Kingdom has rapidly evolved. Council on Foreign Relations’ Martin Indyk and Democracy for the Arab World Now’s Sarah Leah Whitson join Deep Dish to discuss the human rights, energy, and geopolitical dimensions of the US–Saudi relationship.
Like the show? Leave us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Reading List
- The Case for a New U.S.-Saudi Strategic Compact, Steven A. Cook and Martin S. Indyk, Council on Foreign Relations, June 2022
- America’s Middle East ‘Withdrawal’ Breathes Its Last Breath, Sarah Leah Whitson, The American Prospect, June 24, 2022
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2021-11/Martin%20Indyk%20%28c%29%20Michael%20Lionstar.jpg?h=72638fe8&itok=CnMWQD95)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2021-11/Martin%20Indyk%20%28c%29%20Michael%20Lionstar.jpg?h=72638fe8&itok=CnMWQD95)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2022-07/SLW%20Pic.jpg?h=bfced127&itok=NN1oeOFz)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2022-07/SLW%20Pic.jpg?h=bfced127&itok=NN1oeOFz)
![Brian Hanson headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2022-08/Hanson_Brian_WEB.jpg?h=bfced127&itok=WtndAIcD)
![Brian Hanson headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumb/public/2022-08/Hanson_Brian_WEB.jpg?h=bfced127&itok=WtndAIcD)
Related Content
![Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman meets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan](/themes/custom/ccga/frontend/static-html/images/placeholder.png)
While government officials reaffirm the importance of the US-Saudi relationship, the American public expresses generally chilly feelings towards Saudi Arabia.
![Defense show in Saudi Arabia](/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxsml/public/2022-04/Media-Trib-Saudi-Arabia.jpg?h=9c96d581&itok=WnFgPWMi)
"Even if you thought the trade-off of supporting the repressive state was once worthwhile, it’s hard to make the case today," Elizabeth Shackelford writes.
![Martin Indyk](/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxsml/public/2021-12/wjam-indyk-thumbnail_1280x720.png?h=86ecd0a1&itok=UPGOsRWN)
What role should the United States play in the Middle East after leaving Afghanistan?
![Israel Prime Minister Bennett](/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxsml/public/2021-08/POS-Israel-21.jpg?h=144b86e7&itok=6o0Ihq1x)
Ahead of Prime Minister Bennett's first visit to Washington, Council data show partisan divides on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, support for a Palestinian state, and more.