On February 14, 1945 - Valentine's Day - President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States and King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia met aboard a United States Navy vessel in Egyptian waters. While the meeting was little noticed at the time - and remains largely unremembered even today - it has played a profound role in the shaping of the modern Middle East. The two leaders forged an alliance that day that has endured well into the 21st century, the terms of which have profoundly influenced the relationship between the Middle East and Western nations.
Essentially, President Roosevelt agreed to protect Saudi Arabia with the military might of the United States - and to ignore the country's internal affairs - in exchange for a constant stream of cheap Saudi crude flowing to the US. The agreement was mutually beneficial, and the terms have remained more or less unviolated for more than 60 years.
In order to analyze the true impact of the relationship forged that day, however, the full range of consequences must be considered. US support for King Abdulaziz - transferred to his successors - has given the King of Saudi Arabia a free hand to maintain power and rule his country in any way he chooses. As a result, the democratic process, civil government, women's rights and many other issues have been slow to develop. And other leaders have sought similar arrangements with the US, such as the Shah of Iran, with disastrous results and implications for the United States in the 21st century.
For more information, check out the following address:
http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/newsletter2005/saudi-relations-interest-02-12.html
