Saudi Arabia-United States relations
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The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States which is a Special Relationship. Began in 1933 when full diplomatic relations were established. Despite the differences between the two countries—an ultraconservative Islamic absolute monarchy, and a secular, constitutional republic—the two countries have been allies. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have close and strong relations with senior members of the Saudi Royal Family. Public opinions between the two countries are becoming increasingly negative in recent years, particularly American opinions towards the desert kingdom. However, the relationship was strengthened by President Donald Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia in May, 2017 which was his first overseas trip since becoming President of the United States.
Ever since the modern US–Saudi relationship began in 1945, the U.S. has been willing to overlook many of the kingdom’s more controversial aspects as long as it kept the oil flowing and supported U.S. national security policies. Since World War II, the two countries have been allied in opposition to Communism, in support of stable oil prices, stability in the oil fields and oil shipping of the Persian Gulf, and stability in the economies of Western countries where Saudis have invested. In particular the two countries were allies against the Soviets in Afghanistan and in the expulsion of Iraq from Kuwait in 1991. The two countries have been in disagreement with regard to the state of Israel, as well as the embargo of the U.S. and its allies by Saudi Arabia and other Middle East oil exporters during the 1973 oil crisis (which raised oil prices considerably), the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq (which Saudi Arabia opposed), aspects of the "War on Terror", and what many in the U.S. see as the pernicious influence of Saudi Arabia after the September 11 attacks.
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