Investigating the Effect of the U.S.-Saudi Relations on the New Saudi “Openness” Tendency

Abstract

This dissertation examines and investigates the effect of the U.S.-Saudi relation on the newly adopted modernization plan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Initially, it explores this latter’s history of establishment and describes its institutions, culture, education, labor and life style, such as family, art, poetry and music. In order to assess this relationship, this research runs a background check on the history shared between Saudi Arabia and the United States. This latter was the one to discover oil in Saudi Arabia, which augmented its interest in the region. It provides vital statistics regarding oil production of Saudi Arabia. It also demonstrates the extent to which the U.S. needs oil. Further, it exhibits, with statistics, oil production as well as consumption status of the United States. In addition to that, it analyzes and exemplifies, to an extent, the U.S. support to the Kingdom during intense events, such as military protection and arms deals. In a different context, this research defines and analyzes the globalization era and attempts to relate it to the recent events occurring in Saudi Arabia. The objective behind building a historical overview in this dissertation, is to validate the relationship between U.S.-Saudi political ties and their influence on the social change happening in the Kingdom. Thus, this research digs deep to the roots of this sudden change. It explains the way Bin Salman came to power, and his strategic plan to reform Saudi Arabia’s social lifestyle in particular. Furthermore, the U.S. support to Bin Salman indicates that it is implementing its soft power strategies in order to tighten its grip over Saudi Arabia socially. Hence, this dissertation links the dots and gathers evidence to demonstrate the United States’ ideological strategy and its benefits from culturally invading Saudi Arabia.