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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Saudi Arabia in the 1980s: foreign policy, security, and oil

Book ·
OSTI ID:5272433
This assessment of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy acknowledges the strengths and the weaknesses of the Saudi system that have been influential in the past and that are likely to remain influential in the future. It portrays a rich but weak country whose oil has involved it in an intricate web of international issues for which its previous experience has provided few useful precedents. the US-Saudi relationship is an issue of importance to Middle East stability and energy security. The author explores three topics: the external threats faced by the Saudis and Saudi foreign policy; the political, economic, and military capabilities of the Saudis to pursue their national interests; and how Arab-Israeli peace negotiations, arms sales, and oil-production policies have strained its long-standing and friendly ties with the US. Saudi oil production and pricing decisions are also discussed. He concludes that a cooperative relationship based on interdependence can surmount these difficulties. 106 references.
OSTI ID:
5272433
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English