Middle East Policy has been one of the world’s most cited publications on the region since its inception in 1982, and our Breaking Analysis series makes high-quality, diverse analysis available to a broader audience.
Middle East Policy Council
MEPC president Ford Fraker recently gave a wide-ranging interview about the U.S. – Saudi relationship in the context of President Obama’s upcoming trip there at the end of March. Ambassador Fraker – who served in Riyadh from 2007 to 2009 – addressed negotiations with Iran, the Syrian civil war and fears that the United States is disengaging from the region.
Regarding the state of the U.S. – Saudi relationship, Ambassador Fraker commented that:
I think the recent announcements out of Riyadh – assuming that they are happening and I think they probably are – sets a positive tone for the President’s visit. Following the visit you’ll hear warmer statements about the two countries working more closely together on regional problems, Syria in particular, but also Iraq and Yemen.
On Iran and Saudi concerns about the prospect of a Washington – Tehran rapprochement, Ambassador Fraker responded that:
The nuclear question in Iran clearly is a real issue. The way I’ve described it to some of my Saudi friends who get particularly emotional on the subject is to think about it as a business transaction. Fundamentally the Iranians don’t trust us and we don’t trust them given the history between the two countries. What exists today is the opportunity for a deal, for a transaction, and if you think about it in business terms, if the transaction or deal makes sense for both sides then it will happen. If it doesn’t make sense for both sides then it won’t happen.
Middle East Policy has been one of the world’s most cited publications on the region since its inception in 1982, and our Breaking Analysis series makes high-quality, diverse analysis available to a broader audience.
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Middle East Policy Council
MEPC president Ford Fraker recently gave a wide-ranging interview about the U.S. – Saudi relationship in the context of President Obama’s upcoming trip there at the end of March. Ambassador Fraker – who served in Riyadh from 2007 to 2009 – addressed negotiations with Iran, the Syrian civil war and fears that the United States is disengaging from the region.
Regarding the state of the U.S. – Saudi relationship, Ambassador Fraker commented that:
I think the recent announcements out of Riyadh – assuming that they are happening and I think they probably are – sets a positive tone for the President’s visit. Following the visit you’ll hear warmer statements about the two countries working more closely together on regional problems, Syria in particular, but also Iraq and Yemen.
On Iran and Saudi concerns about the prospect of a Washington – Tehran rapprochement, Ambassador Fraker responded that:
The nuclear question in Iran clearly is a real issue. The way I’ve described it to some of my Saudi friends who get particularly emotional on the subject is to think about it as a business transaction. Fundamentally the Iranians don’t trust us and we don’t trust them given the history between the two countries. What exists today is the opportunity for a deal, for a transaction, and if you think about it in business terms, if the transaction or deal makes sense for both sides then it will happen. If it doesn’t make sense for both sides then it won’t happen.
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