The U.S-Saudi Relationship Is Overrated

While the American public likely supports the backlash in Washington—new polling by the Eurasia Group Foundation shows that majorities of Republicans and Democrats oppose U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia—a reassessment of the relationship should have occurred years ago. The White House announced that the kingdom would face “consequences” for its decision to slash oil production, but it has yet to specify what those consequences will be. There is a danger that the immediate outrage over Saudi-Russian collaboration may pass without any serious action taken to hold Saudi Arabia accountable.