Saudi Arabia and the United States

Recognition before Resident Missions

The United States recognized the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd and its Dependencies on 1 May 1931 through an exchange between representatives in London. The state adopted the name Saudi Arabia in 1932. Formal relations followed in February 1940 with Bert Fish’s credentials, although he remained resident in Cairo. An American legation opened in Jeddah in May 1942. Sheikh Asad al-Faqih subsequently established the Saudi mission in Washington. Truman scheduled a credential audience with him as Saudi minister on 8 February 1946. [1] [2] [7]

Palestine and the Exchange of Ambassadors

Roosevelt’s meeting with King Abdulaziz aboard the Quincy in February 1945 gave the rulers a direct channel, but also exposed a fundamental disagreement over Palestine. The king opposed settling displaced European Jews there; Roosevelt offered assurances about his own executive policy while acknowledging that he could not control Congress or the press. Their recorded conversation also addressed Syrian and Lebanese independence and agricultural development. [3]

The Palestine conflict affected the level of representation. Washington considered embassy rank in early 1948 but postponed the change because of the diplomatic atmosphere. In January 1949, Acting Secretary Robert Lovett recommended proceeding, citing American economic interests and the Saudi government’s wish for reciprocal recognition of the relationship’s importance. Al-Faqih presented ambassadorial credentials on 4 March; J. Rives Childs followed in Saudi Arabia on 18 March. [4]

Oil Pressure and Continued Negotiation

Saudi participation in the 1973 oil embargo subjected the relationship to direct economic pressure over American support for Israel. The embassy nevertheless remained an active negotiating channel. In February 1974, Kissinger instructed Ambassador James Akins to warn that continued restrictions could end American efforts toward a broader settlement. Arab producers lifted the embargo in March as negotiations over disengagement advanced. American representation later moved from Jeddah to Riyadh in September 1984, while Jeddah retained a consulate general. [5] [6] [1]

Security Cooperation and Public Distrust

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait brought a much larger American military presence to Saudi Arabia in 1990–1991 at the invitation of Saudi leaders. The deployment defended the kingdom and supported Kuwait’s liberation, but its continuation also drew opposition within Saudi society. After the September 11 attacks, the participation of Saudi nationals intensified American scrutiny of the relationship. The governments expanded counterterrorism cooperation even as each public questioned the other’s policies. [8]

Disputes later centred on the war led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, civilian harm, and human rights. Saudi officials’ murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018 prompted American sanctions and demands in Congress for stronger consequences. Cooperation over arms and regional security continued, but the conditions attached to it became increasingly contested. [8]

Energy Transition and a Wider Economic Agenda

The July 2022 Jeddah communique set out renewed cooperation in defence, infrastructure, telecommunications, and cleaner energy. Biden affirmed support for Saudi territorial defence, while the governments agreed to develop work on renewables, hydrogen, and other energy technologies. Oil remained part of the relationship’s background, but the negotiations also addressed the industries and infrastructure expected to shape future growth. [9]

Related Reading

• Franklin Roosevelt Meets King Abdulaziz Aboard USS Quincy [3]